Module Test Instrumentation & Automation Engineer

The Motion Sensing Hardware team at Apple develops sophisticated test systems and automation frameworks that support cutting-edge sensing technologies in consumer products. This role offers an opportunity to join a team that characterizes and validates inertial, pressure, and magnetic sensing systems, delivering rigorous test coverage and data insights throughout the product development lifecycle. We invite motivated and innovative hardware engineers to help build the test infrastructure and domain expertise that puts our products in a class of their own.

As a Module Test Instrumentation & Automation Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and executing test methodologies for IMU, pressure, and compass sensor systems, while closely supporting the team's data collection and automation infrastructure. Your work will span sensor characterization, test fixture development, signal analysis, and the development of software tools that give the team deeper insight into sensor behavior across the full product development cycle. You will apply deep sensor domain knowledge to transform rawmeasurement data into actionable characterization results, driving quality and performance from early silicon bring-up through mass production.

DescriptionThis position requires strong hands-on experience with inertial measurement units, barometric pressure sensors, and magnetometers, combined with solid software engineering skills and a rigorous approach to sensor characterization. You will own the design and execution of sensor characterization experiments, develop and maintain test plans for new sensor variants, and write the software needed to collect, structure, and analyze test data, integrating these tools into the team's shared automation infrastructure. The role demands strong software development skills alongside rigorous experimental methodology, the ability to diagnose sensor anomalies at the signal level, and excellent communication skills to translate hardware behavior into robust software solutions that the broader team can rely on.

Responsibilities:

Design and execute characterization experiments for IMU (accelerometer and gyroscope), barometric pressure, and compass (magnetometer) sensors across environmental and operating conditionsDevelop and maintain test plans, test fixtures, and calibration procedures for new and existing sensor variantsWrite modular, maintainable software for test automation, data acquisition, signal processing, and results visualization, contributing these tools to shared team infrastructurePartner with data automation and software engineers to define data collection schemas, test protocols, and analysis pipelines that accurately capture sensor behaviorPerform signal-level analysis of sensor outputs, identifying noise sources, bias instability, temperature dependencies, and cross-axis sensitivityEvaluate IMU error models including Allan variance, VRW, ARW, and bias repeatabilityEvaluate pressure sensor performance including offset, sensitivity, long-term stability and altitude accuracy under varying thermal and mechanical conditionsDrive root cause analysis of characterization anomalies and out-of-spec results, working across hardware, firmware, and software teamsDefine and document test requirements and acceptance criteria for sensor subsystems ensuring alignment between hardware specifications and automated test coverageContribute to the continuous improvement of shared test infrastructure, automation scripts and data analysis toolingCommunicate characterization results and sensor behavior clearly to cross-functional teams including hardware design, firmware, systems and product engineeringPreferred QualificationsBachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronic, or Aerospace EngineeringExperience developing simulation environments or digital twins of sensor systems that allow performance to be evaluated without physical hardwareExperience 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 quantificationFamiliarity with hardware communication protocols used in sensor integration (I2C, SPI, UART) and ability to read and interpret register-level sensor dataExperience working alongside firmware or embedded software engineers to debug sensor data pipelines at the hardware-software boundaryFamiliarity with AI/ML-based data analysis techniques applied to sensor characterization datasets, including anomaly detection and performance predictionExperience with automated test frameworks and data pipeline tools used in production hardware testing environmentsKnowledge of MEMS fabrication fundamentals and how process variation influences sensor performanceExperience with consumer electronics product development cycles, including

EVT/DVT/PVT

test phasesFamiliarity with motion sensing technologies across multiple modalities and their interaction effects in integrated consumer devicesPassion for rigorous measurement science and continuous improvement of test methodologyMinimum QualificationsBS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience5+ years of hands-on experience characterizing or testing inertial, pressure, or magnetic sensors in a product development environmentDeep understanding of IMU fundamentals꞉ accelerometer and gyroscope error models, noise characterization, temperature calibration and Allan deviation analysisHands-on experience with magnetometer characterization including magnetic interference assessment and heading accuracy validationExperience characterizing barometric and differential pressure sensors including sensitivity, offset, hysteresis, and environmental stabilityProficiency in Python or equivalent languages for writing production-quality test automation, data processing and analysis toolsProficiency with lab instrumentation꞉ environmental chambers, rate tables, vibration fixtures, precision voltage references and data acquisition systemsStrong signal processing fundamentals꞉ FFT, filtering, noise floor analysis, and statistical characterization of sensor outputsStrong object-oriented software design skills꞉ ability to write reusable, well-structured code that integrates cleanly into shared team frameworksExcellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to document test methodologies clearly and present characterization results to hardware and systems teamsPay & BenefitsAt 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 BenefitsNote:

Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.