Senior Equipment Integration & Automation Engineer

Summary

At Apple, we believe our products begin with our people. By hiring a team with varied strengths, we drive creative thought. By giving that team everything they need, we drive innovation. By hiring incredible engineers, we drive precision. And through our collaborative process, we build memorable experiences for our customers.

These elements come together to make Apple an amazing environment for motivated people to do the greatest work of their lives. You will become part of a hands-on development team that sets the standard in cultivating excellence, creativity and innovation. Will you help us design the next generation of revolutionary Apple products?

Description

At Apple, our most advanced products are enabled by engineers working at the intersection of precision equipment development, automation architecture, and manufacturing execution. We are seeking a Senior Equipment Integration & Automation Engineer to join our Hardware R&D organization and support next-generation module technology development.

This role owns the end-to-end integration and automation of complex equipment platforms that enable stable pilot builds and scalable manufacturing readiness. The successful candidate will drive equipment commissioning, automation control development, equipment retrofit, DFM, EQ/process bring-up, and cross-functional technical execution within a fast-paced NPI environment.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Systems Integration
• Lead end-to-end integration and commissioning of precision equipment platforms including motion systems, fluid dispensing modules, pressure regulation systems, alignment tools, sensors, cameras, and safety interlocks.
• Execute equipment installation, qualification, system tuning, change validation, and readiness ramp for pilot manufacturing.
• Own equipment stability, uptime performance, and failure response as the primary technical DRI.
• Automation & Control Development
• Design and deploy automation platforms integrating PLCs, motion controllers, vision systems, sensors, and imaging pipelines.
• Implement closed-loop process control architectures with real-time feed-forward and feedback synchronization.
• Establish scalable control frameworks supporting transitions from lab development environments to pilot manufacturing operations.
• Build Support & Process Stabilization
• Provide hands-on engineering support during pilot builds through control tuning, fault isolation, and corrective implementation.
• Partner with Process Development, Quality, Reliability, Failure Analysis, Manufacturing Operations, and Automation teams to stabilize process performance.
• Translate diagnostic data into equipment and control system improvements to drive yield, throughput, and repeatability.
• Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
• Serve as the technical interface connecting internal engineering teams, equipment vendors, automation partners, and manufacturing stakeholders.
• Align automation and equipment roadmaps with development milestones and scale-up requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in precision equipment integration, automation engineering, or advanced manufacturing development.
• Demonstrated expertise commissioning complex equipment systems including multi-axis motion platforms, fluid dispensing modules, pressure control systems, optical alignment tools, vision systems, sensors, and interlocks.
• Proven capability designing industrial automation platforms and closed-loop control architectures using PLCs, motion controllers, and vision systems.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, laboratory-focused development environment with high attention to quality and detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and building custom mechanical, electrical, or optical equipment systems.
• Hands-on development of automated control platforms integrating sensors, actuators, vision systems, and process tools.
• Background in process development, characterization, and DOE-driven optimization.
• Experience with high-precision equipment environments including optics, MEMS, display, or semiconductor R&D or pilot manufacturing.
• Track record implementing closed-loop automation and real-time manufacturing control systems.
• Experience managing equipment suppliers and driving system-level technical accountability.
• Proficiency developing automation software using LabVIEW, PLC frameworks, Python-based instrumentation layers, and custom device drivers.
• Working knowledge of mechanical design principles including 3D CAD, GD&T, materials selection, and manufacturing methods.
• Strong technical data analysis capability using tools such as Python, MATLAB,or JMP.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to present technical findings and lead cross-functional engineering discussions.
• Ability to independently resolve cross-disciplinary integration challenges spanning mechanical, electrical, optical, and software subsystems.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity, and thus we treat all applicants fairly and equally. Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities.