Manufacturing Design Engineer

Summary

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. The people here at Apple don't just build products — they craft the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that encourages the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts.

The Apple Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) is accountable for leading the development and implementation of innovative manufacturing processes across Apple's worldwide supply base. In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, and Manufacturing Design partners and our worldwide suppliers. The MDE role is empowered to bring creativity to Apple's manufacturing approach, enabling us to deliver our best work to as many customers as possible.

Join Apple and help us leave the world better than we found it!

Description

In this highly visible role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on Apple products and leave a footprint for years to come. We have an opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing design engineer to lead development and ramp for next-generation Apple products.

Our Manufacturing Design Engineering team enables the mass creation of impossible products as a partner in the development of Apple's renowned designs.

You will be part of a collaborative environment contributing to the creation, evaluation, and implementation of end-to-end manufacturing solutions for Apple products. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders in Quality Engineering, Global Supply Management, Product Design, and Industrial Design to ensure our manufacturing solutions meet our product quality, cost, yield, capacity, schedule, and environmental goals.

Responsibilities

• Partner with multi-functional teams to evaluate design and processes at the concept phase
• Evaluate product and industrial design goals to understand the dimensional, cosmetic, and functional priorities for the product
• Develop manufacturing technologies, control strategies, and manufacturing methods that achieve ambitious specifications at massive production scale
• Identify and validate suitable fabrication equipment and processes to meet all Apple design and operational requirements
• Develop and document processes, including all parameters, consumables, and secondary operation requirements to meet defined specifications
• Compile and evaluate data to determine appropriate limits and variables for process and part specifications
• Work with internal and external groups to ensure proper definition of process expectations and that appropriate fixturing techniques are used for the product
• Coordinate all Manufacturing Design Engineering functions for a program, serving as project manager to lead efforts at supplier locations
• Conduct process optimization DOEs, combining data-driven and hands-on approaches, to solve complex challenges
• Evaluate and communicate yields of new and existing processes
• Drive corrective actions multi-functionally with internal and external team members
• Communicate ongoing process development status to cross-functional teams and lead discussions to align design requirements with manufacturing capability
• Willingness to travel to support manufacturing partner sites and collaborate with in-region team members
• Familiarity with a phase-gate product development approach

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in high-volume mechanical product development, manufacturing engineering, tooling engineering, high-precision fabrication, or similar roles
• Hands-on experience in one or more manufacturing process areas such as machining, surface finishing, precision assembly, or precision fabrication
• Understanding of HAF/PSA adhesive properties and lamination
• Understanding of core principles of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Understanding of core principles of fixture design, including the use of design software and FEA for stress/structural analysis
• Understanding of core principles of Data Analysis and Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing Systems, Chemical Engineering, or related field)
• Experience developing process DFMs, and driving corrective actions and failure analysis efforts
• Working knowledge in the development and evaluation of tooling
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with glass manufacturing processes, particularly within the consumer electronics industry, is strongly preferred
• Preferred process experience in laser, CNC, lapping, polishing, chemical etching, glass forming, and Ion Exchange (IOX), gained within the glass or semiconductor industry
• Working knowledge of mechanical quality and reliability concepts, supplier management, and general manufacturing operations
• Project management experience and understanding of problem-solving tools including design of experiments, root cause analysis, and statistical analytical tools
• Experience in cosmetic parts manufacturing and process control
• Deep understanding of GD&T and stack-up analysis
• Hands-on approach to engineering and problem-solving
• A quick learner who approaches problems flexibly and proactively identifies solutions in the face of challenges
• Applies an innovative approach to problem-solving by leveraging past experiences
• Strong ability to influence using clear and concise communication to drive data-driven manufacturing decisions
• A passion for manufacturing and engineering excellence, with no compromise on quality and customer satisfaction
• Experience working with OEMs and Contract Manufacturers in the Consumer Electronics Industry is a plus