Motion Sensing Hardware Engineer

Apple Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 181,100 - 318,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Reimbursement for educational expenses

Job summary

Apple Inc. is looking for a skilled engineer to join the Motion Sensing Hardware Team in San Francisco. This role focuses on integrating advanced motion sensors into Apple products, requiring expertise in sensor architecture and strong analytical skills.

Ideal candidates possess a Bachelor's degree with at least 10 years in the industry or a PhD/MS with proven experience. This position offers a competitive salary, stock options, and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
• Experience with magnetic, inertial, and pressure sensors.
• Strong fundamentals in sensor architecture and integration.

Responsibilities

• Drive sensor design and technology investigations.
• Diagnose engineering issues with scientific methods.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure performance meets requirements.

Skills

Motion sensors experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Physics knowledge

Signal processing

Education

BS in a related field

PhD or MS with 2 years experience

Tools

Matlab

Python

FEA or Monte Carlo simulations

Job description

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

Motion sensors serve as a bridge between the physical and digital realms, facilitating seamless user interaction and motion features. The Motion Sensing Hardware Team at Apple is entrusted with the responsibility of integrating MEMS and magnetic sensing technologies across its product portfolio. This team comprises a collaborative environment that fosters creativity, intelligence, and state‑of‑the‑art technologies. Engineering excellence and meticulous attention to detail are highly valued and encouraged. Invention and patent creation are supported, aiming to revolutionize product design and manufacturing by introducing innovative technologies and exceptional user experiences.

Description

You will be responsible for integration of state‑of‑the‑art motion sensors (magnetic, inertial, and pressure) into various Apple products, requiring understanding of sensor architecture, characterization, and validation from concept through manufacturing. You will define sensing system metrics, develop measurement methods, and work cross‑functionally to ensure system performance meets feature requirements. The position also demands strong analytical and communication skills to engage with suppliers, troubleshoot complex engineering issues, and align efforts across teams.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and drive sensor design, technology investigation, manufacturing process development, and system integration.
• Diagnose engineering issues with true scientific method driving to definitive root cause.
• Identify, create, and document new sensing system metrics that deliver performance and improvement to customer perception.
• Work cross‑functionally to identify and specify critical performance parameters and error sensitivities.
• Develop measurement methods and equipment that are repeatable, reproducible, and automated as appropriate to enable thorough validation coverage of sensors on tight development schedules.
• Support engineering build activities with performance validation measurements, yield optimization, and failure analysis coordination.
• Work with suppliers to proactively identify and resolve issues of matching to our specs. Analyze trade‑offs among performance, manufacturability, size, schedule and cost.
• Travel to supplier facilities and manufacturing sites for production validation and issues resolution.
• Author high quality and thorough engineering requirements specifications for sensors.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to clearly communicate technical status, risks and mitigation strategies for ongoing sensing system programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in related discipline and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
• Experience in motion sensors (magnetic, inertial, pressure) and relevant physics.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in physics or engineering related fields/MS with 2+ years of hands‑on experience and proven track record in shipping products.
• Strong fundamentals in sensors and experience on integrating sensor into product, connecting user‑level requirements to component‑level requirements.
• Experience in architecture, design, characterization and validation of sensing systems that includes theory of operation, signal processing, and design trade offs.
• Proficiency in instrumentation/modeling/analysis scripting language like Matlab/Python.
• Excellent critical analysis, statistical analysis, and logic/problem solving skills. Competency in signal processing, sensor fusion, machine learning and mathematical modeling is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and solid collaboration and leadership skills.
• Experience developing models to simulate the use of or performance of a sensor. Proficiency in designing and running FEA or Monte‑Carlo simulations is beneficial.
• Multi‑disciplinary understanding of EE, ME, and Physics principles. Experience in modeling complex cross‑disciplinary systems or delivering related prototypes is a plus.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base pay range for this role is between $181,100 and $318,400, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.