Design Lead Jobs for OPT Students

INTRODUCTION

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something - you'll add something.

DESCRIPTION

The Camera team at Apple creates the world’s most popular camera, capturing people’s most precious moments and putting professional-grade storytelling tools in the hands of every iPhone user.

Apple’s Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple’s products. As a Camera Module Lead, you will be the end-to-end technical owner at the interface of hardware and software across our camera platform. You’ll operate at the intersection of optics, actuators, hardware, firmware, image signal processing, and computational imaging - understanding what’s required to deliver the best image quality to our users, building the frameworks to bridge hardware and software, and aligning diverse engineering teams toward shared system-level outcomes.

You will be in a technical leadership position requiring demonstrated ability to learn rapidly across disciplines, communicate with precision across organizational boundaries, and drive complex system integration to successful production outcomes. A genuine passion for photography and image quality is essential.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end performance and integration for high-complexity camera module projects - from architecture through production, across optics, actuators, firmware, ISP, and computational imaging.
• Identify risks across functional, feature, safety, and integration domains and ensure clear ownership and closure paths.
• Act as the technical orchestrator, ensuring hardware, firmware, and software are integrated, tested, and functioning cohesively; proactively engage contributing teams to remove blockers and maintain program momentum.
• Identify risks across functional, feature, safety, and integration domains; establish and maintain DRI ownership and closure paths.
• Lead definition and trade-off studies of RGB camera optics, sensors, and actuators in support of image quality targets.
• Evaluate manufacturing capability relevant to image quality, encompassing assembly processes, end-of-line testing, calibration, and parametric yield analysis.
• May require international travel to supplier facilities for product development and production bring-up support.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Optics, Image Science, or an equivalent relevant field.
• Experience collaborating across technical disciplines and contributing to design or system integration decisions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's or PhD
• 3+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably in roles spanning hardware and software system boundaries.
• Passion for photography and can evaluate image characteristics such as sharpness, noise, dynamic range, color accuracy, and bokeh in consumer and technical contexts.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly across disciplines and can influence decisions at leadership level without direct authority.
• Experience with experimental design and statistical modeling.
• Proficient in data analysis and visualization with tools such as Python, MATLAB, or JMP.
• Experience with cameras, image sensors, or computational imaging and have the curiosity to go deep on how optics, ISP pipelines, and optical characterization fit together across the full camera system.
• Delivered hardware products into mass production.

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 $147,400 and $272,100, 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. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.