Photonics Engineer
Apple
Other Engineering
Cupertino, CA, USA
USD 181,100-318,400 / year + Equity
Posted on Feb 11, 2026
With new wearable sensors we can better understand ourselves, the physical environment, and the interaction between the two. We're looking for people who want to be part of that mission. Our success depends on exceptional engineers working in an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and unconventional problem-solving. If you're motivated to do the greatest work of your career while helping define the next generation of revolutionary and robust Apple products, we'd love to hear from you.
The camera and depth hardware team is responsible for design, development, and validation of camera and electro-optic sensing systems that surprise and delight the consumer with new features. We’re seeking an enthusiastic engineer to design and test novel sensor technology. This role involves highly technical and cross-disciplinary knowledge in semi-conductor optical components, optics, lasers, detectors, biological targets, and semi-conductor packaging technologies.
- Drive new technology prototype demonstrations and executive presentations
- Identify causal relationships between observed device or sub-system performance and design parameters.
- Coordinate, drive and persuade cross functional teams
- Develop clear written specifications and develop test tools for verification
- Interpret and reconcile empirical data with first-principles analytical and/or numerical simulations
- BS Degree in physics, electrical engineering, optical sensing, or related field and 10+ years of relevant experience
- Experience testing optical devices or optical systems
- Experience with test and/or optical data processing automation
- Experience writing specifications for optical source or detector components such as imaging sensors, photodetectors, laser sources, non-linear optics, modulators or SPADs
- MS/Ph.D in physics, electrical engineering, optical sensing, or related field
- Experience with simulating and testing biological samples using optics
- Experience with optical link budgets, including statistical analysis
- Experience with silicon photonics
- Experience with Free-space optical design and/or simulation experience
- Experience with active ranging systems
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. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.