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

Position Overview

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. In this leadership role, you will lead, grow, and mentor a specialized team of computational mechanics and automation experts. You will combine deep expertise in mechanical simulation with a strategic vision for automation and the application of AI/ML, establishing best practices for simulation and analysis while collaborating closely with cross‑functional partners in sensor design, materials science, and product development. Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States

Key Responsibilities

• Design Insight and Validation: Lead the team in delivering actionable insights, providing data‑driven design recommendations, and validating hardware designs using advanced simulation techniques.
• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute a technical roadmap for advanced simulation and analysis by 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 direct design impact.
• Automation & Toolchain Architecture: Oversee the development of sophisticated toolchains and automated workflows to accelerate the simulation process from model creation to reporting.
• Applied AI/ML for Simulation: Guide the application of AI/ML techniques such as surrogate modeling and predictive analytics to enhance simulation workflows.
• Deep Technical Guidance: Provide expert leadership in computational mechanics, including nonlinear FEA, multi‑physics simulation, and advanced material modeling.
• Cross‑Functional Influence: Collaborate with teams in sensor design, materials science, and product development to translate simulation results into tangible design improvements.
• Methodology & Quality: Establish and enforce rigorous simulation standards, ensuring validation and correlation with experimental test data.

Required 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: In-depth understanding of simulation techniques including nonlinear FEA, advanced material models, and proficiency with commercial software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Systems Engineering Acumen: Strong foundation in systems engineering principles to create robust, validated hardware designs.
• Leadership & Influence: Exceptional leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence design decisions through data‑driven insights.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multi‑physics simulations relevant to sensor transduction (e.g., piezoelectric, optical, capacitive).
• Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, including fluid flow and thermal performance analysis.
• Experience in a consumer electronics or high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with designing for module and system reliability.
• Automation & Programming Skills: Advanced programming skills (Python highly preferred) with experience in developing custom engineering tools and automating simulation workflows.
• Experience with cloud‑based High‑Performance Computing (HPC) for large‑scale simulations.
• Applied AI/ML Experience: Proven ability to apply machine learning techniques to solve practical engineering problems within simulation or design contexts.
• Additional technical leadership experience beyond the minimum requirements is an advantage.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: $305,000 - $487,200 base pay range (dependent on skills, qualifications, experience, and location)
• Compensation: Eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards and participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, discounted products, free services, and tuition reimbursement for formal education
• Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States