Module Test Instrumentation & Automation Engineer

Module Test Instrumentation & Automation Engineer San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware Summary Posted:

May 15, 2026

Role Number:

200663449-3401 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. Description This 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 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 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 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 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.