Hardware Engineering Program Manager - VPG
Summary
The Vision Products Group (VPG) In-Region Engineering Program Management (EPM) team is seeking a highly motivated Hardware EPM ready to take on complex challenges and perform world-class program management for cutting-edge technologies.
This is a highly results-oriented role focused on exciting new product development. You will work directly with in-region and global EPMs, HW/SW Engineering functions, and our Contract Manufacturing (CM) partners to navigate complex engineering development cycles. Ultimately, you will enable and lead cross-functional teams working toward a shared goal: delivering extraordinary Apple products to the world.
Description
- NPI Build Management: Lead the end-to-end execution of complex hardware builds (from PoC through PVT), managing input plans, build matrices, and daily NPI factory operations to ensure on-time delivery and meet high yield targets.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as the central hub aligning diverse engineering groups (including EE, DFM, PE, and Test) across US and Asia timezones to execute process validations, DOEs, and technical debugs.
- Vendor Accountability & Mentorship: Drive Contract Manufacturer (CM) performance by hosting operational and talent reviews, enforcing clear Failure Analysis (FA) policies, and pushing vendors to build independent analytical and technical capabilities.
- Process Innovation: Identify bottlenecks on the NPI factory line and partner with engineering teams to successfully qualify and roll out new manufacturing processes, equipment, and standards without impacting throughput.
- Early Engagement & Bring-Up: Manage early-stage local development of flex, PCB layout, bridging the gap between initial design concepts and factory-ready manufacturing plans.
Risk Mitigation & Reporting: Anticipate technical, schedule, and resource constraints (such as lab space and equipment headcount), presenting clear, proactive solutions to management before they impact the critical path.
Responsibilities
- Review and closely drive the readiness of CM factories and build execution on a daily basis (business travel up to 50% required).
- Lead cross-functional engineering teams (including EE, DFM, PE, and Test) to execute factory engineering validations, process experiments (DOEs), and resolve complex design or manufacturing issues during NPI builds.
- Drive Contract Manufacturer (CM) performance, establishing strong operational metrics and ensuring accountability for yield targets and Failure Analysis/Corrective Action (FACA) capabilities.
- Effectively coordinate cross-timezone technical alignment—including SW/Test station debug and HW FA triage—acting as the critical bridge between US-based engineering and Asia-based manufacturing teams.
- Understand technical, schedule, and logistical risks, performing accurate assessments and synthesizing clear mitigation plans for leadership review.
Minimum Qualifications
- 2+ years of meaningful experience as a Project or Program Manager developing hardware products in the consumer electronics industry.
- Recent experiences in consumer electronics hardware development.
- Proven track record of effectively coordinating cross-functional technical collaboration across different time zones.
- Demonstrated experience managing Contract Manufacturers (CMs) and driving NPI factory build execution.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical issues into clear executive summaries.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with board-level (MLB) or System-in-Package (SiP) HW/SW triage and failure analysis.
- Deep understanding of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and advanced manufacturing processes.
- Ability to leverage AI tools to analyze manufacturing yield data, identify defect trends, and accelerate root cause analysis.
- Comfort using AI-assisted dashboards or analytics tools to monitor production KPIs and flag risks proactively.
- Willingness to apply AI productivity tools to structure failure mode analysis (e.g., FMEA) and prioritize issue resolution during NPI stages.
- Openness to using AI to synthesize cross-functional inputs and support data-driven decision-making under tight production timelines.
- Ability to leverage AI writing tools to efficiently produce engineering reports, issue logs, and executive summaries.
- Willingness to use AI tools to translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable updates for cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience or interest in using AI-enhanced project management workflows to track milestone progress, surface schedule risks, and coordinate action items across teams.
- Ability to apply AI tools for scenario planning and contingency assessment during critical production build phases (EVT / DVT / PVT).