Job Details

Reliability Labs User Research Engineer

Cupertino, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: May 16, 2025

Weekly Hours: 40

Role Number: 200604959

The Reliability Labs User Research team ensures Apple products can handle the challenges of real-world use. Using mixed research methods, we study how customers interact with our products, evaluate wear and damage, and refine testing strategies to improve reliability. Product reliability delivers customer brand loyalty- customer satisfaction is our guiding principle.

This role offers a collaborative and stimulating environment, working closely with cross-functional design and reliability engineers to enhance product durability. We focus on understanding genuine user behavior, reducing bias, and using creative and analytical approaches to solve challenges. Our research, backed by data and insights, helps shape testing methods and establish design success criteria enabling decision making rigor supporting all Apple products.

Come join our team!

Description

As a User Research Engineer, you will shape test strategies and guide design decisions with cross-functional teams. You’ll design and run studies, analyze data, and deliver user perception insights that drive meaningful improvements and exceeding high customer satisfaction expectations.

We’re looking for someone who excels under pressure, communicates effectively, and is passionate about understanding customer interactions with physical products. This role requires adaptability and self-motivated initiative, balancing research rigor with fast paced and structured product schedule needs. Your work will have a direct customer impact with senior engineering and reliability leadership looking to your findings as a basis for improving product quality and innovation.

You’ll join a team focused on clarity, ethical research, and continuous improvement. Success means delivering clear, actionable insights that help engineers create better test specifications, refine designs, and assess risks, always keeping the human experience front and center - unsurpassed customer satisfaction is our aim.

Your responsibilities will include:
- Collaborate with teams to design studies that explore real-world product use.
- Plan, set up, and coordinate studies to ensure smooth execution and high quality data.
- Conduct in-person studies to capture authentic user behavior while minimizing bias.
- Apply statistical analysis methodology creating clear, visually compelling reports engaging technical audiences, driving design change
- Support a team culture of curiosity, inclusive of diversity, ethical research, and continuous growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in human factors, biomechanics, psychology, or industrial design

• 5+ years experience with various user research methods and selecting the best approach for each study.

• Ability to approach open-ended problems with curiosity, structure, and adaptability.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills across disciplines.

• Awareness of research biases and strategies to reduce their impact.

• Experience studying human perception, sentiment, or behavior with physical products.

• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Tableau, JMP, MATLAB, or SPSS

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in human factors, biomechanics, psychology, or industrial design,

• Knowledge of ethical and legal guidelines for human research and data handling.

• Understanding of mechanical or materials engineering for product durability.

• Familiarity with hardware development processes.

• Experience with characterization methods like sensors, motion capture, and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a plus.

• Experience with scripting for data processing such as Python or R

• Experience using AI or Large Language Models (LLMs) for data processing and analysis

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 $143,100 and $264,200, 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.