Senior High-Speed I/O Test Engineer — Automation & AI

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental

Stock programs

Employee stock plan

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Senior High-Speed I/O Engineer to own the design, development, and deployment of metrology and test instrumentation systems for Apple's hardware portfolio. You’ll lead automation, debugging, and data-driven analysis across NPI to mass production.

Qualifications include 7+ years in hardware/firmware, strong C/Objective-C/Lua skills, and experience with USB, HDMI, Thunderbolt and PCIe interconnects. Excellent cross-functional communication is essential.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong software development background in C, Objective-C, and/or Lua; firmware and scripting.
• Solid hardware fundamentals and experience with high-speed interconnects (USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, PCIe).
• Proven ability to design, bring up, debug, and automate electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, specify, bring up, validate, and deploy automated instrument systems for high-speed I/O interfaces across Apple's product lineup.
• Partner with System EE, Signal Integrity, Architecture, Firmware, Operations, and Logistics to drive test system strategy.
• Collaborate with contract manufacturers and vendors; author SOPs and technical documentation.
• Own test station development and support hardware bring-up with deep technical dives into issues.
• Apply data-driven and AI-assisted approaches to analyze instrument data and solve engineering challenges.
• Perform failure mode and root cause analysis from system to component level.
• Manage escalations and communicate findings to engineering teams and executives.
• Support domestic and international travel up to 20%.

Skills

C

Objective-C

Lua

Scripting

Hardware fundamentals

High-speed interconnects

Signal Integrity

System debugging

Cross-functional leadership

Firmware development

Education

BS in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

Apple's products touch hundreds of millions of people - and the interfaces that connect them to the world depend on getting every signal right. The Hardware Test Engineering group is the team that makes sure they do.As a Senior High-Speed I/O Engineer, you'll own the design, development, and deployment of metrology and test instrumentation systems for Apple's most advanced hardware, spanning the full breadth of Apple's product portfolio. From the earliest NPI milestones through mass production, your work will directly shape the quality and reliability of products used by people everywhere.

Description

In this role, you will develop and deploy automated instrumentation systems that validate the electrical function and performance of Apple’s high-speed I/O technologies across the entire product lifecycle. You'll partner deeply with System EE, Signal Integrity, Firmware, Software, Silicon Engineering, and Operations to define test strategies, drive instrumentation architecture, analyze complex system behavior, and improve engineering workflows through automation and AI-assisted analytics. You'll bring the communication skills, analytical rigor, and cross-functional instincts to make those partnerships count.This position requires strong technical depth in high-speed electrical systems, software development, system debugging, and cross-functional leadership to solve challenging engineering problems at scale.

Responsibilities

• Design, specify, bring up, validate, and deploy automated instrument systems for high-speed I/O interfaces (USBC, HDMI, Thunderbolt, and more) across Apple's entire product lineup - from NPI through mass production
• Partner with System EE, Signal Integrity, Architecture, Firmware, Operations, and Logistics teams to gather requirements and drive test system strategy
• Collaborate with contract manufacturers and vendors; author SOPs, debug instructions, and technical documentation
• Own test station development and coverage; support hardware bring-up with deep technical dives into open issues
• Apply data-driven and AI-assisted approaches to analyze large-scale instrument data and solve complex engineering challenges
• Perform failure mode and root cause analysis, debugging from system level down to component level
• Manage escalations and communicate findings to engineering teams and executive stakeholders
• Support domestic and international travel as needed (up to 20%)

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience
• Strong software development background, including C, Objective-C, and/or Lua-based library, API, or framework development; application-specific firmware; and scripting
• Solid command of hardware fundamentals: architecture, block diagrams, schematics, and debug interfaces
• Experience with high-speed interconnects and signal integrity (USB, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, HDMI, PCIe)
• Proven ability to design, bring up, debug, and automate electrical systems

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Familiarity with test methodology, statistical analysis, and Gauge R&R (GRR)
• Consumer electronics manufacturing experience is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful cross-functional partnerships and manage competing priorities across disciplines
• Experience developing or integrating AI tooling to improve engineering workflow quality and efficiency
• Exceptional communicator - written, verbal, and visual - able to convey complex technical topics to diverse audiences including executive leadership

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, 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. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

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.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.