Sensing Hardware - Mechanical Modeling And Simulation (FEA) Engineering Director

Engineering Director For Sensing Hardware

Apple's Hardware Technology organization is seeking a visionary Engineering Director to spearhead the use of computational simulation to design and validate the next generation of sensing hardware. This role requires a leader who can combine deep expertise in mechanical simulation with a strategic vision for automation and the application of AI/ML. Your team's primary mission will be to deliver critical insights and design recommendations that ensure the performance and reliability of Apple's most advanced products. As the director of this team, you will guide a group of world-class computational engineers, establishing best practices for simulation and analysis. You will be responsible for creating robust, validated designs by applying rigorous systems engineering principles and state-of-the-art simulation techniques. By architecting sophisticated automation workflows, you will accelerate the design process and enhance predictive accuracy, making a profound impact on the development of Apple's breakthrough sensing technologies.

In this leadership role, you will lead, grow, and mentor a specialized team of computational mechanics and automation experts, setting the vision for how Apple simulates, designs, and validates its most advanced sensing hardware. Your primary mission is to deliver insights, design recommendations, and validate designs using simulations. This will involve in-depth knowledge of various simulation techniques, state-of-the-art tools, and a rigorous knowledge of systems engineering principles to create robust mechanical designs proven through simulations. This also involves architecting sophisticated toolchains and automated workflows that integrate deep Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with cutting-edge AI/ML methodologies as applicable. By doing so, you will dramatically accelerate design cycles, enhance the predictive accuracy of our models, and enable the team to solve complex multi-physics challenges. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners in sensor design, materials science, and product development, ensuring your team's strategic innovations in simulation and automation directly influence the performance and reliability of the next generation of Apple products.

Minimum Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computational Mechanics, or a closely related technical field.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical simulation, with a focus on miniaturized or high-precision components.
• 5+ years in a technical leadership or management role, with experience leading engineering teams and defining technical strategy.
• Deep Computational Mechanics Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of various simulation techniques, including deep expertise in FEA theory (nonlinear mechanics, advanced material models) and proficiency with commercial software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Systems Engineering Acumen: Strong foundation in systems engineering principles and a demonstrated ability to create robust hardware designs validated through simulation.
• Leadership & Influence: Exceptional leadership and communication skills with a proven ability to influence design decisions by articulating complex technical concepts and data-driven insights.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with multi-physics simulations relevant to sensor transduction (e.g., piezoelectric, optical, capacitive, etc).
• Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, including interpretation of fluid flow and thermal performance results.
• Experience in a consumer electronics or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity in designing for module and system reliability.
• Automation & Programming Skills: Advanced programming skills (Python highly preferred) with extensive experience developing custom engineering tools and automating complex simulation workflows.
• Experience with cloud-based High-Performance Computing (HPC) for large-scale simulations.
• Applied AI/ML Experience: Proven experience applying machine learning techniques to solve practical engineering problems within a simulation or design context.
• 10+ years in a technical leadership or management role, with experience leading engineering teams and defining technical strategy.

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.