Senior Design Engineer / Prototyper ISE Incubation-Proactive

Senior Design Engineer /

Prototyper ISE Incubation-Proactive Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services Summary Posted:

May 14, 2026

Role Number:

200663459-0836 The ISE Incubation team is looking for an exceptional Senior Design Engineer / Prototyper to own and drive the design vision across multiple high-impact, early-stage projects. In this role, you will serve as the design authority for the team — leading end-to-end design execution while working in close partnership with engineers to bring ambitious ideas to life. You are equally comfortable operating in ambiguity and delivering with precision, and you bring a rare combination of design craft, technical fluency, and strategic thinking to everything you create. Description Our team nurtures early-stage ideas into well-developed, usable experiences. For this big idea to work, is there a piece of experience that must feel great? Is there an enabling technology we need to build? Software is the tool we use most frequently to bring concepts to life on our devices. But we try to use the best tool for the job: anything that helps us see, touch, or feel an idea. We often work directly with other teams to leverage expertise from across the company, and share our work with others to find out what works and what doesn't. Gradually, those fuzzy notions turn into tangible, brand-new ideas that can lead the future of software on our devices. The products we build are part prototype, part proof of concept and part sales pitch, so communicating clearly and being able to empathize with other people's perspectives are key skills for our team. So is the ability to give and receive feedback.

Responsibilities Own Design End-to-End:

Lead and execute the full design process across multiple concurrent incubation projects, from early ideation through high-fidelity prototype delivery

Drive Design Vision:

Establish and maintain a cohesive design direction across projects, ensuring quality, consistency, and a high bar for craft at every stage Partner Directly with

Engineering:

Serve as the primary design interface with engineering teams, translating design intent into technically feasible solutions and advocating for the user experience throughout development

Build & Prototype:

Produce a wide range of prototypes — from rapid concept models to polished, interactive proof-of-concepts — to validate ideas and communicate design decisions

Influence & Align Stakeholders:

Present design work confidently to senior leadership and cross-functional partners, driving alignment and shaping product direction

Mentor & Elevate:

Contribute to the broader design culture of the team by sharing expertise, establishing best practices, and raising the bar for design quality

Explore & Innovate:

Actively explore emerging technologies, interaction paradigms, and design approaches to push the boundaries of what's possible within Apple's ecosystem Minimum Qualifications 8+ years of experience in design engineering, interaction design, or a prototyping- focused discipline Proven track record of owning and delivering design work across multiple complex projects simultaneously Experience with industry-standard design tools such as Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma Suite or similar Strong command of visual design, interaction design, and systems thinking Experience writing prototype-quality code Demonstrated ability to collaborate directly with engineering teams and communicate design intent at a technical level Experience presenting and defending design decisions to senior stakeholders Preferred Qualifications Experience in an incubation, R D, or 0-to-1 product environment Background in industrial design, HCI, software engineering, or a related field Ability to independently scope and structure design work-streams with minimal oversight Strong point of view on the future of human-computer interaction 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.

Note:

Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program. Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You'll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong. Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.