Audio & Acoustic Instrumentation Systems Engineer

Summary

Apple designs consumer electronics that have touched millions and changed the way people interact with electronic devices around the world. Sound, speech capture, and acoustic performance are essential facets of this user experience across AirPods, Beats, iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. The Instrumentation Systems Engineering Group plays a key role in upholding Apple’s quality standards, and through your work with the team, you will have the unique opportunity to impact products all across Apple. We are looking for a Senior Audio & Acoustic Instrumentation Systems Engineer to serve as the Station DRI and technical lead for the development, validation, and deployment of calibration and test equipment for Apple’s manufacturing lines. You will work closely with Acoustic Engineering, Validation, Mechanical Design, and Operations teams throughout the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase and into mass production to ensure the success of current and future Apple products.

Minimum Qualifications

Deep familiarity with physical acoustics, room/chamber acoustics, electroacoustics, and transducer fundamentals (microphones, speakers, receivers). Hands-on experience with acoustic and vibro-acoustic multiphysics simulation (COMSOL, ANSYS) for cavity acoustics, boundary reflections, and structural isolation. Solid understanding of audio DSP, transfer function calibration, and acoustic measurement instrumentation (e.g., Audio Precision, SoundCheck, B&K, GRAS couplers, laser vibrometry). Experience with 3D CAD tools (preferably NX/UG) to review and guide mechanical test fixture, sealing, and acoustic chamber architectures. Strong programming and data analysis skills in one or more of the following: Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or JMP. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Mandarin to collaborate across global engineering teams and manufacturing partners. PhD or MS in Acoustics, Electroacoustics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a dedicated focus in acoustics. 1+ years (PhD) or 3+ years (MS) of professional experience in acoustic instrumentation, audio test engineering, or metrology system design.

Preferred Qualifications

Proven track record as a Station DRI or Technical Lead in high-volume consumer electronics manufacturing across NPI phases (Proto, EVT, DVT, PVT, MP). Experience designing scalable instrumentation, HW/SW test automation, and working directly with contract manufacturers (CMs) and system integrators. Experience with acoustic materials specification (absorbers, dampers, barriers, and sealing elastomers) for test enclosures and fixtures. Advanced knowledge of acoustic array signal processing (beamforming, TDOA) and non-linear distortion diagnostics.

Description

You will brainstorm, design, simulate, and develop instrumentation systems used to calibrate and test Apple’s groundbreaking technologies and products. Your design work will range from lab-scale measurement prototypes—requiring a deep first-principles understanding of acoustic physics and product architecture—to developing automated mass-production test stations, where balancing engineering tradeoffs between accuracy, precision, cost, lead-time, and throughput is critical. With the diversity of the problem space, you will rely on your acoustic and systems engineering background to architect optimal metrology solutions, leaning on physical fundamentals to solve complex hardware and signal-processing challenges. You will work collaboratively with a creative and diverse team of experienced engineers across mechanical system design, core audio technology, product design, and global manufacturing partners to deliver state-of-the-art measurement systems for Apple.

Responsibilities

Specification, Development, and Deployment: Own the end-to-end architecture, specification, and development of automated acoustic and Noise & Vibration (N&V) instrumentation systems as Station DRI from concept through mass production. Acoustic & Vibro-Acoustic Simulation: Conduct FEA/BEM multiphysics simulations to guide enclosure design, acoustic sealing, isolation chambers, and fixture boundary conditions prior to hardware fabrication. NPI Equipment & Sensor Selection: Specify, evaluate, and acquire reference acoustic instrumentation, transducers, couplers, and diagnostic tools for NPI and factory environments. In-Situ Factory Qualification: Deploy and qualify test stations at contract manufacturer (CM) sites, driving station-to-station correlation, Gage R&R, Golden Unit correlation, and ambient noise rejection. Data Analysis & Failure Root-Cause: Analyze large-scale calibration and production performance data (Python, MATLAB, JMP) and lead deep-dive failure analysis across frequency response, distortion (THD, Rub & Buzz), and micro-acoustic leakage paths. Manufacturing & Vendor Execution: Partner with equipment vendors and CMs to drive on-time station bring-up, HW/SW integration, and production scalability (estimated travel: 20%–35%).