CNC Prototyping Manager

Summary

Do you possess a keen eye for detail, a passion for excellence, and a strong desire to contribute to extraordinary outcomes? If so, you will thrive on a diverse team that shares these values. At Apple’s PRL (Product Realization Lab), we combine technical expertise and creativity to deliver remarkable results that quickly translate into exceptional products and customer experiences. We invite you to bring your curiosity, craftsmanship, and dedication to our team. At the PRL, we take pride in building high-quality models, prototypes, and manufacturing solutions that support the development of future Apple products. We have a world-class team and a state-of-the-art machine shop worthy of this challenge. In this role, you will manage a team of highly skilled CNC machinists, partnering with external engineering teams and internal fabrications specialists to deliver a wide range of prototypes for Apple’s Hardware Engineers. Your combination of technical credibility and people leadership will be critical to push the boundaries of what is possible in machining, and to influence the development of products used by millions.

Description

As a Prototyping Manager, you will lead day-to-day operations and engage in longer-horizon planning for your team as part of our broader organization, the ADL (Advanced Development Lab). You will manage a team of CNC-focused Makers; oversee and drive improvements to your cell’s workload, processes, and equipment; and work closely with engineering requestors to develop complex and ever-changing prototypes of many different shapes and materials. You will help your team develop their careers, foster a culture of creative problem-solving, and build collaborative relationships that allow engineers to think of the lab as a partner in their development.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and support a team of prototype CNC specialists in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Serve as a technical lead for machining capability, adding your technical expertise to the skillset of the team and developing newer machinists
• Provide DFM feedback to engineers
• Identify and drive continuous improvement in fabrication processes, workflows, and capabilities
• Scope and add new prototype fabrication capabilities, including capital equipment, training, etc.
• Triage and prioritize incoming prototype requests, balancing urgency, complexity, and team capacity
• Lead creative problem-solving and troubleshooting activities for failures and other improvement opportunities
• Develop actionable plans based on data insights to enhance operational efficiency
• Drive team building efforts and encourage cross-functional collaboration to achieve daily operational objectives.
• Facilitate collaboration with customers and internal teams in order to achieve established lead time and quality goals
• Provide personnel development plans and constructive feedback on performance

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years leading a fabrication, prototyping, or manufacturing team is required
• Excellent communication skills, ability to clearly articulate complex ideas in written reports and verbal presentations
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with cross-functional stakeholders
• Should have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-focused work environment and demonstrate a passion for dynamic challenges

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with prototype CNC programming and machining, and ability to learn, absorb, and master new fabrication techniques
• Familiarity with Laser prototyping capabilities, Wire EDM, and additive manufacturing methods is beneficial
• Experience evaluating and incubating emerging fabrication technologies to innovate on lab capabilities