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Hardware Systems Design & Integration Engineer - AirPods

Apple· Hardware
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Cupertino, California$150.4k - $277.6kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

AirPods System Integration role focused on owning system hardware deliverables across the full product lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, prototype, validate, and ramp AirPods hardware toward high-volume production.

Responsibilities

  • Drive system-level electrical architecture decisions and contribute to product definition in partnership with cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Own schematic design, layout direction, and design reviews for rigid PCBs and flexible circuits, delivering to program milestones.
  • Get hands-on with prototype bring-up, debug, and system validation — building validation plans that prove performance in the lab and guarantee quality at the factory.
  • Define and drive manufacturing test requirements; partner with contract manufacturers and operations to enable a smooth ramp to high-volume production.
  • Lead complex, multi-disciplinary investigations across electrical, mechanical, and software domains, often with incomplete data and drive them to root cause and durable resolution.
  • Translate complex technical trade-offs into clear narratives for cross-functional partners, contract manufacturers, and executive audiences; build alignment and drive decisions, including the hard calls.
  • Mentor peers, share best practices, and help raise the technical bar and culture of the team.
  • Travel occasionally to support builds and manufacturing activities.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent directly-related work experience
  • 5+ years of relevant industry experience designing electronics and/or embedded systems
  • Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, including analog and digital design, signal integrity, and power integrity
  • Hands-on experience with prototyping, bring-up, debug, and validation of electronic systems
  • Proficient in a lab environment with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, frequency counters, and related instrumentation
  • Proficiency in PCB and flex design (schematic and layout), with a track record of delivering high-quality designs to aggressive timelines
  • Working knowledge across several system domains such as SoC integration, power and battery, inductive power, analog and audio, RF, sensors, ESD, or design of test and automation infrastructure that scales across a program
  • Track record of driving ambiguous, cross-disciplinary problems to root cause when the path forward isn't obvious and comfortable making measured decisions with incomplete data
  • Proven ability to build alignment across teams and influence decisions with cross-functional partners, contract manufacturers, and executive stakeholders
  • Experience taking hardware from proof of concept toward mass production, with exposure to contract manufacturing partners a plus
  • Design validation experience spanning bench characterization through factory test coverage
  • Experience mentoring engineers and fostering a team environment where ideas from any level are welcomed, challenged, and made better
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex electrical trade-offs to non-EE audiences — from industrial designers to executives

Skills

Required:Electrical architectureSchematic and PCB/Flex designPrototype bring-up and debugManufacturing test and production rampCross-functional communication

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
  • Retirement benefits
  • Discounted products and free services
  • Educational reimbursement for advancing your career, including tuition
  • Potential discretionary bonuses or commission payments
  • Relocation assistance may be available
Last updated Oct 9, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Apple

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

AirPods Max 2Apple ArcadeApple CardApple Fitness+Apple MusicApple TVApple TV+Apple Watch Series 11
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