Manufacturing Design Engineer (CNC)

Lex; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Design Engineer to lead development and ramp for next‑generation products. You will drive end‑to‑end manufacturing processes and collaborate with cross‑functional teams across Quality, Supply Management, and Product Design.

The role involves leading process optimization, fixture design, CNC/robotics work, and data-driven problem solving to meet stringent quality, cost, yield, and environmental targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing or similar).
• 7+ years in high-volume mechanical product development or manufacturing engineering.
• Hands-on metal cutting (CNC) and robotics experience.
• Strong understanding of fixture and automation design, data analysis, and DOE.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and ramp for next generation Apple products.
• Develop and implement manufacturing processes across Apple’s supply base.
• Collaborate with Quality, Global Supply Management, and Product Design.
• Evaluate design and processes at concept phase; define fixturing requirements.
• Coordinate program activities at supplier locations; act as project manager.

Skills

CNC machining

Robotics

Polishing

Fixture design

Automation design

Data analysis

DOE

GD&T

NX

Vericut

Mastercam

JMP/Minitab

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering (preferred)

PhD (preferred)

Tools

NX

Siemens Controls

Mastercam

Vericut

JMP/Minitab

Job description

Summary

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, innovative ideas quickly become extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences. This is where individual imaginations and experiences gather, leading to great work. Bring passion and dedication to your job, and there's no telling what you could accomplish.

The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they make the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. The diversity of those people and their ideas inspire the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. 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 a part of collaborative environment contributing to the creation, evaluation, and implementation of end-to-end manufacturing solutions for Apple products. The Apple Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) is accountable for leading the development and implementation of innovative manufacturing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base.

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders in Quality Engineering, Global Supply Management, Product Design, and Industrial Design in order to ensure our manufacturing solutions meet our product quality, cost, yield, capacity, schedule, and environmental goals. 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

• Partner with multi-functional teams to evaluate design and processes at the concept phase
• Develop manufacturing technologies, control strategies and manufacturing methods that achieve ambitious specifications at a mass production scale
• Develop and implement cutting edge processes to deliver on cosmetic and dimensional part characteristics
• Compile and evaluate data to figure out 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 eIorts at supplier locations
• Conduct process optimization DOE’s, combining data-driven and hands-on approaches in tandem, to find solutions to complex challenges
• Evaluate and communicate yields of new and existing processes
• Drive corrective actions multi-functionally with internal and external team members

You may be asked to lead development in one or more of the following areas:

• CNC machining, CNC milling and turning process development, perform simulations on Vericut, validate drawings/CAD, cutting tool - design and development, fabrication and cutter life evaluation
• Scope appropriate CNC equipment to be used, develop CNC fixtures - evaluate fixture design concepts and prototyping, implement touch probing, lead the reduction of cycle time, development of advanced cutters and coatings, high speed machining implementation, support programming and optimization of all CNC-related activities at contract manufacturers worldwide.
• Own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on statistical process control (SPC) data analysis.
• Surface Finishing – Develop new processes for blasting, tumbling, polishing, robotics, wet sanding, lapping, plating, anodizing, and PVD in response to cosmetic, functional, and reliability targets.
• Ensure that quality and yield requirements are met.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing systems engineering, Chemical engineering or similar)
• 7+ years of experience in high-volume mechanical product development, manufacturing engineering, tooling engineering, high-precision fabrication, or similar roles
• Hands-on experience in metal cutting (CNC), Robotics, Polishing, Sandblasting, Lapping, Laser Etching, Laser Welding, Adhesive dispensing and/or Process bring up
• A solid understanding of core principles of fixture and automation design (including the use of design software and FEA for stress/structural analysis), Data Analysis and Design of Experiments
• Experience in developing process DFMs, and driving corrective actions and failure analysis efforts
• Expert level knowledge of GD&T, Stack up Analysis, NX, Siemens Controls, Mastercam, Vericut, JMP/Minitab
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to 75%

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or PhD (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, Chemical engineering or similar)
• Working knowledge of mechanical quality and reliability concepts, supplier management and general manufacturing operations.
• Project management experience and an understanding of problem solving tools including design of experiments, root cause analysis and statistical analytical tools
• Experience in cosmetic parts manufacturing and process control
• Hands-on approach to engineering and problem-solving
• A quick learner who approaches problems flexibly and proactively identifies solutions in the face of challenges
• Experience working with OEMs and Contract Manufacturers
• Innovative and first principles problem solving approach

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Role Number: 200613787-3541