System Electrical Architect (Input Devices)

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

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a visionary System Electrical Architect to define the future of input devices for Mac.

Based in Cupertino, you will own end-to-end EE system architecture for trackpads and keyboards, turning open-ended challenges into concrete hardware solutions while collaborating across FW, SW, and ME teams. You will lead from concept to mass production, driving new technology investigations, interface optimization, and rapid prototyping in a highly ambiguous, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field with 7+ years of hardware system design or electrical architecture.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Escalation Resolution: guide failure analysis and provide definitive solutions.
• Zero-to-One Architecture: drive EE system architecture from concept to mass production.
• Cross-Functional Co-Design: partner with mechanical and firmware teams to optimize HW/FW interfaces.
• Independent Problem Solving: identify bottlenecks, propose design alternatives, and trade-offs.
• System Integration: integrate sensing, actuation, and power management in constrained form factors.

Skills

System architecture

Schematic capture

High-speed interfaces

Lab instrumentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

VNAs

BERT

Allegro PCB design

Job description

System Electrical Architect (Input Devices)

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

Apple is seeking a visionary electrical architect to define and design the future of input devices (trackpads, keyboards, and next-generation interfaces) for our Mac product line. You will be responsible for ground-up (zero-to-one) EE system architecture, transforming open-ended user experience challenges into concrete, innovative hardware solutions. If you are an independent, first-principles thinker who has experience in design for mass production and thrives in ambiguity and is passionate about pushing the boundaries of human-computer interaction, we want you to help us invent what comes next!

Description

In this highly collaborative and impactful role, you will lead the electrical architecture for next-generation input technologies. Input devices sit at the complex intersection of electrical, mechanical, and firmware/software engineering. You will not just be designing circuits. You will be defining the system. Based on design goals, you will propose innovative architectural concepts, drive new technology investigations, and partner with mechanical engineers and firmware engineers to continuously iterate, co-design, and optimize hardware.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Escalation Resolution: Maintain a deep, holistic understanding of the team’s active projects. Swiftly intervene when complex, persistent system issues arise, partnering with cross-functional teams to guide failure analysis strategies, drive root-cause investigations, and deliver definitive solutions to unblock development.
• Zero-to-One Architecture: Drive the EE system architecture from blank-page concepts to proof-of-concept prototypes, and eventually to mass production.
• Cross-Functional Co-Design: Act as the technical bridge. Work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure structural and electrical harmony, and with firmware engineers to define HW/FW interfaces, optimize system latency, and perfect the user experience.
• Independent Problem Solving: Able to jump in and solve any difficult Identify technical bottlenecks in early investigations, propose actionable design alternatives, and make critical trade-off decisions between performance, power, space, and cost.
• System Integration: Oversee the integration of high-precision sensing, complex haptic actuation, and intricate power management within tightly constrained form factors.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, or related field with 7+ years of experience in hardware system design or electrical architecture.
• Strong EE fundamentals (E&M physics, first principles) with a deep understanding of system architecture and design tradeoffs.
• Experience in schematic capture and component selection across diverse domains (power, digital, analog, high-speed, wireless).
• Deep knowledge of low-speed and high-speed digital interfaces (e.g., I2C, I2S, SPI, USB, MIPI, PCIe, Thunderbolt).
• Experience with highly constrained multilayer PCBs (HDI, fine-pitch BGA) and rigid-flex designs (Allegro preferred).
• Hands-on proficiency with advanced lab tools (high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, VNAs, BERT) for bring-up, validation, and protocol decode.
• Proven track record of taking complex systems from concept to mass production, collaborating tightly with FW, SW, and ME teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sensing Expertise: High-precision AFE design for weak signals (capacitive touch, strain gauges, piezo).
• Haptics & Actuation: Drive circuitry for LRA/Piezo/VCM, H-bridge design, and closed-loop resonance tracking.
• Power Architecture: Designing ultra-low noise power for sensitive analog circuits while managing massive transient currents from actuators.
• ME/EE Co-Design: Familiarity with mechanical resonance, damping and key requirements for capacitive/inductive-based sensing.
• SI/PI/EMC: Resolving severe signal/power integrity and ESD/EMI challenges in constrained, user-facing environments.

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

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