Technical Program Manager, Camera Components

Apple•Apply•Published 1 days ago•First seen 1 days ago

Summary

Here at Apple we don’t just create products — we create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join the Product Technical Operations at Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it.

You will take the lead in driving technical, operational, factory, and quality issues related to camera components (substrates, flexure, VCM) from the earliest stages of NPI, engineering builds, ramp up and sustaining product lifecycles. You will work with camera module design and process teams to quickly resolve technical and operational issues and interface between sub-component vendors and downstream module integrators.

Description

This role is based in Japan and is expected to operate as a hands-on factory leader spending significant time on-site at vendor facilities across Eastern Asia, directly leading, designing, and directing factory teams to solve problems in real time. The TPM is expected to be the factory expert on the ground, driving execution and issue resolution directly with vendor operations and engineering teams.

The scope covers all camera components (focus on VCM) used in all cameras and all systems.

Responsibilities

Be involved at product concept to ensure products are manufacturable and conduct design for manufacturability reviews. Build in constant design improvement for product quality, factory efficiency and product cost.
Approve vendor process, process flow and automation equipment design
Manage new process introduction and special projects, such as new testers.
Deep dive into machine and process design for high precision manufacturing assembly
Innovate factory processes, concepts, and design to enable an ideal manufacturing process
Collaborate with quality teams to review and approve quality control plans (tests, methods, sample sizes, pass/fail criteria). Ensure cosmetic standards are aligned with module integrator.
Audit and approve manufacturers for mass production (MP) readiness.
Contribute to release reviews and verify that all Technical, Operational and Quality aspects are ready to ramp.
Lead resolution of component related design or process issues in component fab, back-end processing, transit and module integrator.
Monitor and report yield, manufacturing metrics (CpK, FMEA etc.). Drive improvement programs as appropriate.
Collaborate with Hardware engineering teams on optimizing component designs and processes
Drive overall program and factory readiness for the technology and mass production
Implement AI and Machine Learning techniques into factory processes to better streamline data collection and analysis
Continuous operational improvement with yearly initiatives.
Vendor management through good communication and strong leadership presence on site
Work closely with engineering teams to drive MP-suitable NPI development.
Foster the technical excellence and continuous improvement of the organization and team, proactively supporting, mentoring, and enabling the success of others.
Maintain deep expertise as SME (Subject Matter Expert) for some technical area, providing leadership and guidance in complex problem-solving and technical decision-making in addition to the standard TPM skill set.

Minimum Qualifications

4+ years relevant experience in Manufacturing: Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Automation Engineering, or Program Management.
BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or allied technical subject.
Strong technical skills, involving problem solving and issue root causing in a pressured environment.
Strong knowledge in process control methodologies (PFMEA, DFMEA, etc)
Ability to manage full product line from start to finish, NPI to MP.
In-depth understanding of assembly processes and development (dispense, precision pick & place, SMT, etc.)
Strong technical skills, involving problem solving and issue root causing in a pressured environment utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE) and other statistical analysis using Six Sigma principles
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to vendor factories across Eastern Asia, with on-site presence expected as a core part of the role.
Flexible working during evening and weekends by taking compensation off later, and also can accommodate international travel up to 30%.
Language skills: Japanese, English proficiency

Preferred Qualifications

Interpersonal skills of leadership, influence, project management, communication, teamwork, influencing and negotiation.
Experience with associated camera module components.
Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
Strong capability in data analysis. Ideally to have JMP and Tableau skill.
Experience with implementing smart factory tools such as ML and AI into production systems.
Ability to present to Executive teams under pressure.
Mandarin language proficiency is a strong plus