Optical Design Engineer - Biophotonics

Optical Design Engineer - Biophotonics

Cupertino, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: Sep 08, 2025

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Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unrivaled and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every single day.

Description

In this Optical Design Engineer role, you will leverage your experience in designing and tolerancing optical systems to lead efforts to design and manufacture ultra-compact, high-precision micro-optical systems. You will start out with novel optics design concepts and turn them into optical systems optimized for mass production.

Responsibilities

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  Design, simulate, and analyze complex, ultra-compact free-space optical systems

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  Utilize your skills in optical design and simulation to propose optics designs, tolerance budgets, as well as testing and qualification approaches and methods

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  Contribute to the design, implementation, and test of novel technology prove-of-concept devices and prototypes

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  Work in a team and contribute to the development of next generation optics and photonics devices

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Minimum Qualifications

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  BS degree in Optics, Physics, EE or a related field

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  Experience with at least one commercial optics simulation tools, such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, LightTools, or equivalent

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  Programming experience using MATLAB, Python, C, or similar tools

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Preferred Qualifications

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  10+ years of relevant industry experience

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  MS or PhD degree in Optics, Physics, EE or a related field

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  Familiarity with the design, simulation, optimization, sensitivity and tolerance analysis of complex free space optical systems, with a preference for high-precision micro-optical system design experience

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  Experience designing incoherent and coherent optical systems

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  Experience with the design of optics systems for sensing or metrology applications.

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  Experience designing optics for manufacturability and specifying optical components for manufacturing

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  Experience in one or more of the following areas: stray light analysis, physical optics, or coherent optical effects

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  The ability to work well in an interdisciplinary team environment

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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.

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.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant ( .

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.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant ( .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program ( .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.