Job Details

Motion Sensing Hardware Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: Sep 11, 2025

Role Number: 200620138-3401

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.

As a member of the Motion Sensing Hardware Team, you will play a pivotal role in defining, developing, characterizing, and validating motion sensing systems. Your expertise should encompass sensor technologies with an emphasis on system integration, sensing technology, and performance metrics.

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 and a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience

• Practical understanding of motion sensors (magnetic, inertial, pressure).

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.

Pay & Benefits

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 $147,400 and $272,100, 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. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.