Apple hunts for touch-panel, flat-panel engineers

Two new job openings at Apple may point to technological trends at the company. Recruiters are firstly searching for a senior module process engineer, who would be hired full-time in Apple's home city of Cupertino. There they would be responsible for leading engineering efforts on multi-touch displays, from conceptualization to product formation. Candidates are expected to have a PhD in Physics or Mechanical Engineering and three years of experience, or an MS degree with five years of experience.

At the same time, the company is hunting for a senior module process manager, who would have requirements and responsibilities essentially similar to those of the engineer, except that his or her specialty would be in general flat-panel technology rather than touchscreens.

Apple may simply be seeking to continue its efforts in touch displays for the iPhone and iPod touch, but the positions may also represent efforts at expansion. The company has at various times been rumored to be working on a tablet-like device, and analysts with Piper Jaffray expect MacBooks to eventually move beyond multi-touch trackpads to small color control screens, or even full-sized touch displays.

Filed under: iPhone, Apple, industry, peripherals
Other story tags: iPod touch, touchscreen, jobs