Experience Prototyper - Software

Next Gen Computing (NGC) develops new concepts and capabilities for Apple products. The team brings expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software design, and interaction design, enabling it to build fully functional prototypes that inform decisions across Apple. From rapid proofs of concept to live-on platforms distributed to dozens of internal users for longer durations, we can take an exploration as far as needed to enable our colleagues and stakeholders to get a hands-on feel for an experience instead of just an idea. We work across a variety of product lines and work regularly with engineering, design, and human factors functions to realize our work as clearly as possible. Our team offers a unique opportunity to inform the future of Apple products.

Description

Experience prototypers combine skills in user experience design and software development to scope, sketch, and build functional software interactions that drive design conversations forward. Through deep collaboration with hardware/software engineers and designers, they connect product concepts to technical feasibility to bring abstract ideas to life. They are able to frame their explorations with human-centered design language and visual artifacts, share their work with collaborators and stakeholders, and synthesize their findings to turn building into shared learning.

Responsibilities:

Building interactive software on Apple platforms using graphics, sensors, and custom I/O

Working closely with hardware and systems engineers to integrate with custom hardware platforms

Proposing concrete, buildable prototype embodiments within open-ended design spaces

Communicating design intent verbally as well as visually through sketches, storyboards, scenarios, and diagrams

Sharing demos with collaborators and stakeholders, soliciting feedback, and fostering discussion

Documenting prototypes thoughtfully with video and other means

Synthesizing findings and reflections into a coherent story situated within a context

Testing, debugging, and fixing defects to continuously improve software

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with graphical animations, motion design, or writing shaders

Familiarity with common hardware sensors, basic signal processing and gesture recognition

Eye for detail and/or aesthetics, awareness of modern UI design, including Apple Human Interface Guidelines

The dynamic range to work at different levels of refinement, from scrappy to polished

Comfortable with ambiguity, open-ended exploration, and far-out ideas

Awareness of human factors considerations, such as hand kinesthetics or sensory perception

Familiarity with GenAI workflows

Experience with macOS, Swift, SwiftUI, Xcode, and Apple SDK

Project portfolio of previous interactive work

Minimum Qualifications

Ability to independently build a standalone GUI app and integrate with APIs

Software development foundation: OO/MVC design, source control, dependency management

Interaction design basics: concept sketching/diagramming, problem framing, visual storytelling

Natural curiosity and intuitive desire to build something tangible to explore an idea

Cross-disciplinary, exploratory, and collaborative, with an ego-less working style

Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with 3+ years' work experience in a design/technology field

Pay & Benefits

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.