Hardware Systems Design & Integration Engineer - AirPods

Summary

Every day, hundreds of millions of people reach for AirPods to tune into their world. Behind that seamless, effortless experience is some of the most advanced electrical and mechanical integration in consumer hardware - world-class acoustic performance, custom silicon, sensor fusion, and incredible battery life.

Our team owns the end-to-end electrical design of AirPods. We are seeking a Senior Technical Lead to define what comes next. In this role, you will define system-level architecture, push the boundaries of physical architecture, wireless systems, and custom silicon, and set the technical standard for extraordinary cross-functional teams.

If you thrive on technical rigor and the challenge of turning complex engineering into products the world wears daily, your next chapter is here.

Description

In this role, you will be the hands-on Electrical Engineering Lead for an AirPods program, owning the system architecture, design, and development from initial concept through mass production. You will drive critical trade-offs—applying rigorous engineering principles to design, optimize, and validate hardware within tight volumetric, thermal, and power constraints. As both lead engineer and mentor, you will resolve architectural ambiguity, guide the team through complex technical challenges, and align electrical design across cross-functional partners, operations, and leadership.

Responsibilities

Drive system-level electrical decisions and contribute to product definition in partnership with cross-functional engineering teams, executing with a high level of product ownership

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 and organize 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

Own schematic design, layout direction, and design reviews for rigid PCBs and flexible circuits, delivering to program milestones

Mentor peers, share best practices, and help raise the technical bar and culture of the team

Travel occasionally to support builds and manufacturing activities

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent directly-related work experience
8+ years of relevant industry experience designing electronic and/or embedded systems
3+ years experience in technical leadership
Deep electrical engineering fundamentals across analog, digital, power, and signal integrity, with a track record of leading complex system decisions to closure
Experience driving high-volume consumer product development cycle end-to-end, from architecture through mass production
Demonstrated ability to track, prioritize, and drive closure on multiple concurrent open issues in a fast-paced environment, keeping cross-functional partners aligned on status and risk.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with wearables/hearables design and manufacturing
Technical foresight: experience productizing new technologies in high-volume applications
Autonomous execution: experience turning high-level direction into concrete plans, driving tough problems forward, and holding peer engineers accountable for delivery
Comfortable making measured decisions in ambiguity with incomplete data, while balancing engineering constraints
Excellent communication and executive presence, regularly surfacing critical topics and adjusting depth according to audience

Pay & Benefits — Cupertino, California, United States

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.

Application Deadline

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.