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

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.

Description

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.

Responsibilities:

Design Insight and Validation: Lead the team in delivering actionable insights, providing data-driven design recommendations, and validating hardware designs using a wide range of advanced simulation techniques.

Strategic Leadership: Define and execute a technical roadmap for advanced simulation and analysis, applying systems engineering principles to ensure robust design outcomes.

Team Leadership & Mentorship: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of computational engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and focusing on delivering direct design impact.

Automation & Toolchain Architecture: Oversee the development of sophisticated toolchains and automated workflows to accelerate the entire simulation process-from model creation and meshing to analysis and reporting.

Applied AI/ML for Simulation: Guide the application of AI/ML to enhance simulation workflows, using techniques like surrogate modeling and predictive analytics to accelerate analysis and explore complex design spaces.

Deep Technical Guidance: Provide expert technical leadership in computational mechanics, including nonlinear FEA, multi-physics simulation, and advanced material modeling, to solve complex challenges unique to miniaturized sensing hardware.

Cross-Functional Influence: Partner with and influence teams in sensor design, materials science, and product development, translating simulation results into tangible design improvements.

Methodology & Quality: Establish and enforce rigorous standards for simulation quality, including validation and correlation with experimental test data to ensure the reliability of all analyses and recommendations.

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.

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.

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 $305,000 and $487,200, 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

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.