Hardware Systems Design & Integration Engineer - AirPods
Other Engineering, Design
USD 150,400-277,600 / year + Equity
Posted on Oct 17, 2026
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.
In this role, you will be a hands-on hardware system integrator for an AirPods program, designing, analyzing, and validating hardware 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. You will work extensively with cross-functional teams and vendors to tackle all kinds of challenges, from development board design to system hardware test and validation and so much more.
- Own schematic design, layout direction, and design reviews for rigid PCBs, SIPs, and flexible circuits, delivering to program milestones.
- Perform hands-on prototype bring-up, debug, and failure analysis
- Validate and characterize prototypes by creating thorough validation plans, working with contract manufacturers to execute plans, and reviewing results
- 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.
- Travel occasionally to support builds and manufacturing activities.
- Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- 3+ years relevant industry experience designing electronics and/or embedded systems
- Strong Electrical Engineering fundamentals (analog/digital design, signal/power integrity, etc.)
- Hands-on experience in prototyping, bring-up, debug and validation
- Comfortable in a lab environment using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, frequency counters, etc.
- Experience with high volume products / consumer electronics from proof of concept to mass production; prior experience in working with contract manufacturers highly desirable
- Expertise in HDI PCB, flex, and/or SIP designs including schematic and layout with strong abilities to implement to a timeline and deliver high quality designs
- Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: CPU/SOC, power(DC-DC converters, battery, power management, low power design), analog circuits, audio, RF integration and measurement, sensor design and integration, ESD safety, high speed interfaces
- Python / scripting experience
- Design validation and bench analysis
- Experience working with mechanical design, software, reliability, manufacturing, and operations organizations
- Experience with challenging and multi-disciplinary failure analysis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills