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Motion Sensing System Architect

Apple· Hardware
Apply on company site
San Francisco Bay Area$184.7k - $324.8kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Own the end-to-end motion sensing system architecture (transducer physics through signal chain and algorithm) for state-of-the-art magnetic, inertial, and pressure sensors across Apple products. Drive feature roadmaps, define requirements, build end-to-end models, validate sensor integration, and lead cross-functional validation and reporting from concept to high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

  • Drive the motion sensing feature roadmap by evaluating emerging technologies, user needs, and product opportunities.
  • Define feature requirements and systematically translate them into system-level requirements, intermediate figures of merit, and sensor module specifications — maintaining full traceability across the requirements hierarchy.
  • Build and validate quantitative end-to-end models of the sensing signal chain (physical, electrical, algorithmic) to guarantee that sensor specifications deliver required feature performance.
  • Own sensor integration into the product system; leverage modeling and simulation to evaluate and optimize sensor placement for performance, ensuring mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic constraints are met.
  • Work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, industrial design, and product design teams to align on sensor placement and integration trade-offs.
  • Define comprehensive validation plans spanning characterization through production; execute validation campaigns and drive closure of open issues.
  • Generate high-quality engineering reports and share findings, status, risks, and mitigation strategies with leadership and cross-functional teams through thorough documentation and clear presentations.
  • Determine the sensitivity of user-facing features to variation in sensor specifications; perform impact analyses to assess proposed requirement and specification changes.
  • Perform architectural trade-off analyses across performance, manufacturability, size, schedule, and cost to guide module and system integration teams.
  • Develop repeatable, reproducible, and automated measurement methods to enable thorough validation on tight development schedules.
  • Diagnose engineering issues with rigorous scientific method, driving to definitive root cause.
  • Support engineering builds with performance validation, yield optimization, and failure analysis coordination.
  • Drive multi-source sensor performance matching and work with suppliers to proactively resolve specification-matching issues; travel to supplier and manufacturing sites as needed.

Qualifications

  • BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
  • Practical understanding of motion sensors (magnetic, inertial, pressure) and relevant physics.
  • Experience in architecture and system-level design of sensing systems.
  • PhD with 5+ years of hands-on experience and a proven track record shipping motion sensor or sensing system products.
  • Experience in architecture, design, characterization, and validation of MEMS sensing systems (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer), including theory of operation, signal processing, fabrication, packaging, and design trade-offs.
  • Deep, multi-disciplinary understanding of EE, ME, transducer physics, and system engineering principles.
  • Proficiency in modeling, simulation, and analysis tools (ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python, JMP); experience designing and running FEA or Monte Carlo simulations.
  • Experience in sensor placement optimization through modeling (FEA, magnetic/inertial simulation) within product-level constraints.
  • Strong fundamentals in signal processing, probability, and statistics; competency in sensor fusion, machine learning, and mathematical modeling is an asset.
  • Experience defining and executing validation plans from characterization through production readiness.
  • Experience building and testing complex multi-physics systems and delivering related prototypes.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with solid collaboration and leadership abilities.

Skills

Required:Motion sensing system architectureRequirements decomposition and traceabilityEnd-to-end modeling and simulationSensor integration and placement optimizationValidation planning and executionCross-functional collaborationData analysis and reportingMEMS sensing technologiesModeling tools
Nice to have:Sensor fusion and machine learning (asset)

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
  • Retirement benefits
  • Discounted products and free services
  • Educational expense reimbursement (tuition)
  • Discretionary bonuses or commission payments and relocation potential
Last updated Sep 18, 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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