Module Test Instrumentation & Automation Engineer

Responsibilities:

Design and execute characterization experiments for IMU (accelerometer and gyroscope), barometric pressure, and compass (magnetometer) sensors across environmental and operating conditions

Develop and maintain test plans, test fixtures, and calibration procedures for new and existing sensor variants

Write modular, maintainable software for test automation, data acquisition, signal processing, and results visualization, contributing these tools to shared team infrastructure

Partner with data automation and software engineers to define data collection schemas, test protocols, and analysis pipelines that accurately capture sensor behavior

Perform signal-level analysis of sensor outputs, identifying noise sources, bias instability, temperature dependencies, and cross-axis sensitivity

Evaluate IMU error models including Allan variance, VRW, ARW, and bias repeatability

Evaluate pressure sensor performance including offset, sensitivity, long-term stability and altitude accuracy under varying thermal and mechanical conditions

Drive root cause analysis of characterization anomalies and out-of-spec results, working across hardware, firmware, and software teams

Define and document test requirements and acceptance criteria for sensor subsystems ensuring alignment between hardware specifications and automated test coverage

Contribute to the continuous improvement of shared test infrastructure, automation scripts and data analysis tooling

Communicate characterization results and sensor behavior clearly to cross-functional teams including hardware design, firmware, systems and product engineering

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronic, or Aerospace Engineering

Experience developing simulation environments or digital twins of sensor systems that allow performance to be evaluated without physical hardware

Experience with sensor fusion algorithms combining IMU, magnetometer, and pressure data (e.g., AHRS, altitude estimation, dead reckoning)

Familiarity with stochastic sensor modeling techniques including Kalman filtering, Monte Carlo simulation and uncertainty quantification

Familiarity with hardware communication protocols used in sensor integration (I2C, SPI, UART) and ability to read and interpret register-level sensor data

Experience working alongside firmware or embedded software engineers to debug sensor data pipelines at the hardware-software boundary

Familiarity with AI/ML-based data analysis techniques applied to sensor characterization datasets, including anomaly detection and performance prediction

Experience with automated test frameworks and data pipeline tools used in production hardware testing environments

Knowledge of MEMS fabrication fundamentals and how process variation influences sensor performance

Experience with consumer electronics product development cycles, including EVT/DVT/PVT test phases

Familiarity with motion sensing technologies across multiple modalities and their interaction effects in integrated consumer devices

Passion for rigorous measurement science and continuous improvement of test methodology

Minimum Qualifications

BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience

5+ years of hands-on experience characterizing or testing inertial, pressure, or magnetic sensors in a product development environment

Deep understanding of IMU fundamentals꞉ accelerometer and gyroscope error models, noise characterization, temperature calibration and Allan deviation analysis

Hands-on experience with magnetometer characterization including magnetic interference assessment and heading accuracy validation

Experience characterizing barometric and differential pressure sensors including sensitivity, offset, hysteresis, and environmental stability

Proficiency in Python or equivalent languages for writing production-quality test automation, data processing and analysis tools

Proficiency with lab instrumentation꞉ environmental chambers, rate tables, vibration fixtures, precision voltage references and data acquisition systems

Strong signal processing fundamentals꞉ FFT, filtering, noise floor analysis, and statistical characterization of sensor outputs

Strong object-oriented software design skills꞉ ability to write reusable, well-structured code that integrates cleanly into shared team frameworks

Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to document test methodologies clearly and present characterization results to hardware and systems teams

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 $181,100 and $318,400, 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.

Client-provided location(s): Emeryville, CA

Job ID: apple-200663449-3401_rxr-664

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-05-19T20:03:32