Product Quality Engineer (PQE), Failure Analysis - Pohang, Korea
Summary
Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, we believe new ideas have a way of becoming phenomenal products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there’s no telling what you could accomplish.
Here in Apple, we don’t just create products — we create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts.
We are seeking a Product Quality Engineer (PQE) to manage the quality lab operations and failure analysis from Pohang Korea.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise, curiosity, and a hands-on problem-solving mindset, with a passion for failure analysis, material characterization, and reliability engineering. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams and suppliers to investigate complex technical challenges and drive issues from initial analysis through root-cause identification and resolution.
Description
The Quality lab provides advanced failure analysis and material characterization capabilities to support the resolution of complex reliability, manufacturing, and material-related issues across products and technologies. The center applies a broad range of sophisticated analytical techniques to characterize materials, components, and products, identify root causes, and provide actionable technical insights. We are looking for a world-class Product Quality Engineer (PQE) to lead the lab operations and its vision.
Responsibilities
- Lead the quality operations, managing resources, and technical capability development
- Drive failure analysis, material characterization, and root-cause investigations
- Develop and execute effective analysis strategies for complex engineering issues
- Partner with cross-functional teams and suppliers to resolve product and manufacturing issues
- Support Apple Manufacturing Accelerator initiatives through failure analysis lab analytical capabilities
- Drive lab efficiency and capability enhancement through automation, data analytics, and AI
Minimum Qualifications
- 3+ years of relevant experience in failure analysis, laboratory engineering, or related engineering fields
- BS or MS in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related technical field
- Hands-on experience in failure analysis, material characterization, reliability, or quality engineering
- Experience with analytical techniques such as SEM, FIB/SEM, AFM, FTIR/Raman, X-ray/CT, LIT, TDR, and Probe Station
- Experience with polymers, adhesives, thin films, semiconductor/display materials, or electronic components
- Strong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skills
- Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams and suppliers
- Strong technical documentation and communication skills
- Proficiency in written and verbal English and Korean
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with OLED/display technologies, semiconductor processes, and thin-film materials
- In-depth experience in electrical, optical, material, and structural failure analysis
- Experience leading or managing failure analysis laboratory operations
- Experience in technical leadership, resource planning, and capability development
- Knowledge of AI, machine learning, and advanced data analytics for engineering applications
- Knowledge of Generative AI and smart manufacturing technologies
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50%