Apple

Apple

Posted via Apple Careers

Health Sensing HW - Module Design Engineer

Always Hiring

Posted Oct 27, 2026

Role at a glance

Job function
Engineering & R&D Other
Salary
$150.4K – $225.3K/yr
Location
Santa Clara, California, United States
Experience
BS with 3+ years industry experience or MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.
Education
BS with 3+ years industry experience or MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.

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Role Summary

AI-generated

The Health Sensing Hardware team is developing next-generation optical health sensors for Apple Watch and AirPods. This role covers optical sensor design through simulations, prototype assessments, and user studies, along with analysis of sensor performance and delivery of design assessments to leadership and cross-functional partners.

What You'll Do

  • Perform the optical design of the sensor via simulations and prototype-based assessments.
  • Conduct user studies and analyze sensor performance data to infer trends and dependencies in skin-sensor interactions.
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers.
  • Define requirements and detailed specifications for product development.
  • Deliver detailed assessments and design evaluations to leadership and cross-functional partners.

Generated from the employer's posting. Verify important details before applying.

View full posting

Qualifications

Bachelor's with 3+ years industry experience or MS/PhD in biomedical or optical engineering, with hands-on optical system design and prototyping skills.

Required

  • Knowledge of optical system design for wearable sensing applications including lens design, integration of electro-optical components etc.
  • Experience with building bench-top optical sensor prototypes including metrology and characterization.
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams (mechanical/electrical engineering) on technology development of optical sensors.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent documentation skills.
  • BS with 3+ years industry experience or MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard ray-tracing and optical design software tools.
  • Extensive experience in signal processing techniques to analyze and interpret optical bio-signals (e.g. PPG).

Preferred

  • Proficiency in programming languages, MATLAB, Python, C etc.
  • Knowledge of light transport (coherent and/or diffuse) in biological tissue.
  • Flexible, collaborative and willing to work in cross-functional fast-paced technology development.
  • Strong optical simulation skills using commercial ray-tracing packages.
  • Experience with modeling/simulating light transport in biological tissue.
  • Proven experience in designing optical systems for bio-sensing/imaging applications.
  • PhD in Biomedical or Optical Engineering.

Original job description

Content provided by the employer

Summary

The Health Sensing Hardware team is looking for a highly-motivated optical engineer to work on the next-generation of optical health sensors.

The successful candidate will be able to leverage training in optical system design, modeling and fabrication to develop the optical health sensors in the Apple Watch and AirPods. This candidate should also be adept at analyzing user data to infer real-world performance trends and emergent behavior. Lastly, the candidate must be able to distill simulation and empirical results into concise design assessments to cross-functional collaborators and senior management.

Description

You will be working with a team of research scientists and hardware engineers developing technologies for the optical health sensors. You will be responsible for the optical design of the sensor via simulations and prototype-based assessments, user studies and analysis of sensor performance. The role also requires strong data analysis skills to infer trends and dependencies in the data to improve the understanding of skin-sensor interactions and directly impact the design and performance of the health sensors. This is a highly cross-functional role and will require close collaboration with mechanical, electrical and software engineers. Lastly, you will be responsible for delivering detailed assessments and designs evaluations to leadership and cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will be a hardware engineer with demonstrated expertise in the comprehensive design and development of optical assemblies and platforms that seamlessly integrate electro-optical components such as LEDs and VCSELs with mechanical systems. This role requires proficiency in industry-standard ray-tracing and optical design software tools, with the ability to leverage these platforms for sophisticated optical system modeling and optimization. The candidate is also expected to have extensive experience in signal processing techniques to analyze and interpret optical bio-signals (e.g. PPG).
Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration capabilities, particularly the ability to drive optical sensor development initiatives while effectively coordinating efforts across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and other technical disciplines. The candidate must have hands-on experience with optical system design, prototyping and characterization, culminating in defining requirements and detailed specifications for product development. Furthermore, the following skills would be a plus for a successful candidate in this role
Proficiency in programming languages, MATLAB, Python, C etc.
Knowledge of light transport (coherent and/or diffuse) in biological tissue.
Flexible, collaborative and willing to work in cross-functional fast-paced technology development.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of optical system design for wearable sensing applications including lens design, integration of electro-optical components etc.
Experience with building bench-top optical sensor prototypes including metrology and characterization.
Experience working with cross-functional teams (mechanical/electrical engineering) on technology development of optical sensors.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent documentation skills.
BS with 3+ years industry experience or MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong optical simulation skills using commercial ray-tracing packages.
Experience with modeling/simulating light transport in biological tissue.
Proven experience in designing optical systems for bio-sensing/imaging applications.
PhD in Biomedical or Optical Engineering.

Pay & Benefits — Santa Clara, 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 $225,300, 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.

Apple

About the company

Apple

Large Enterprise

Apple Inc. is a global technology company known for its innovative products and services, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac computers, and Apple Watch. Founded in 1976, Apple has continuously pushed the boundaries of design and functionality, earning a reputation for high-quality consumer electronics and software solutions like iOS and macOS. With a strong commitment to user experience and privacy, Apple also leads in digital services, offering platforms such as the App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud. The company's focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility further enhances its standing as a leader in the technology sector.