Brittle Deco Subject Matter Expert

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 163,500 - 246,200; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, CA, seeks a Brittle Deco Subject Matter Expert to drive coating processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base.

This high‑visibility, hands‑on role collaborates with Industrial Design, Product Design, and supplier teams to deliver scalable solutions for cosmetic and functional requirements on brittle substrates. You will lead development trials, evaluate process capabilities, present data to senior decision makers, and plan manufacturing deployments with cross‑functional

Qualifications

• BS or equivalent in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years of hands-on coating development and/or production experience.
• Experience in coating equipment hardware design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement coatings to meet cosmetic and functional requirements for brittle substrates.
• Collaborate with Industrial Design, Product Design and supplier teams to create specifications.
• Lead development trials to test feasibility and validate process capabilities.

Skills

Coating development

Process understanding

Analytical problem solving

Project management

Education

BS or equivalent in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Coating equipment hardware design

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Operations and Supply Chain

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 create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires 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.

The Apple Brittle Deco Subject Matter Expert (SME) is accountable for driving the development of coating processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base. In this highly visible, hands‑on role as the expert technical member of the Manufacturing Design Team you will have direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners and worldwide suppliers.

Description

In this high visibility role, you will investigate and develop solutions to overcome ambitious technical tasks that require non‑standard manufacturing approaches.

• Develop and implement coatings that achieve challenging cosmetic & functional requirements in our highly visible brittle substrates
• Work with Apple’s Industrial Design and Product Design teams to create working specifications related to coating processes
• Work directly with overseas manufacturers implementing solutions meeting high‑volume commercial goals; collaborate with premier equipment and process manufacturing partners to create next‑generation processes and test limits of process capabilities
• Determine feasibility to achieve aggressive goals evaluating manufacturing processes at early stages of product development
• Plan and complete studies to confirm process capability to achieve technical goals for high volume programs
• Present analysis to key decision makers that will be used to make commercial and design commitments
• Assess specific coating requirements and relate design goals to process, equipment, and material requirements that will be used to evaluate a set of options to solve difficult manufacturing problems
• Research manufacturing processes and evaluate them for their potential to achieve technical goals. Develop expert level understanding of key process drivers in order to determine how to best to leverage process capabilities. Apply that knowledge as the technical resource for other process teams to support implementation at supplier locations
• Plan and implement development trials to test feasibility, optimize process inputs, and validate capabilities of process options. Analyze results and provide recommendations based on sound engineering discernment as well as data
• Present analysis to key decision makers which will be used to make significant commercial and design commitments
• Project management experience and ability to program‑manage across multiple projects, vendors and resources

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or equivalent experience in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering
• 7+ years of experience in hands‑on development of coating (ink, painting, PVD, CVD) and/or production environment
• Experience in coating equipment hardware design
• Periodic domestic and overseas travel expected (up to 30%)

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise relating material properties to design requirements, process drivers, and test methodologies
• Ability to lead a development program to a schedule from research phase into manufacturing execution in a matrixed organization
• Expertise using advanced analytical techniques to characterize chemical and mechanical properties or troubleshoot failure modes
• Experience establishing and validating coating processes for mass production
• Excellent analytical skills with an emphasis toward implementing solutions
• Self‑motivated with a dedication to delivering high quality results in a dynamic environment

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $163,500 and $246,200, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.

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.

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