Hardware Lab Lead & Hands-On Engineer

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock programs

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking a Lab Manager to lead a small team of lab technicians and coordinators while actively conducting experiments, operating equipment, and supporting engineering programs.

This hybrid, hands-on role combines people leadership with technical ownership to ensure safety, uptime, and efficiency in a world-class lab environment. You will manage daily lab operations, calibrate equipment, and design test fixtures while coordinating with engineering teams on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or 5+ years of industry experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a technical/engineering lab environment, including direct execution of tests and equipment operation.
• 1+ year of experience leading, mentoring, or managing a team.
• Strong understanding of lab safety standards, hazardous materials handling, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Hire, manage, mentor, and develop a small team of lab technicians/coordinators.
• Set priorities, assign work, and review team output to ensure quality and consistency.
• Conduct performance reviews, career development conversations, and skills growth planning for direct reports.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the lab team.
• Personally operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment in support of engineering test plans and experiments.
• Execute test protocols, collect and analyze data, and contribute directly to engineering programs alongside the technicians you manage.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for complex equipment issues or non-standard test setups.
• Design and build new test fixtures, setups, or lab processes as needed for emerging program requirements.
• Manage daily lab operations, including equipment inventory, maintenance schedules, calibration, and repair coordination.
• Oversee procurement, vendor relationships, and budget tracking for lab equipment, consumables, and services.
• Develop and enforce lab safety protocols in compliance with EHS standards and Apple policies.
• Partner with engineering teams to plan lab layouts, allocate space/resources, and support new equipment installations.
• Maintain accurate records for asset tracking, equipment certifications, and regulatory documentation.
• Manage access control, security protocols, and confidentiality requirements for sensitive prototype hardware.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase lab efficiency, uptime, and throughput.
• Coordinate cross-functional logistics between engineering, facilities, EHS, and supply chain teams.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

5+ years industry experience

Tools

Asset management systems

Inventory software

Procurement systems

Job description

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking a Lab Manager to lead a small team of lab technicians and coordinators while actively conducting experiments, operating equipment, and supporting engineering programs.

This hybrid, hands-on role combines people leadership with technical ownership to ensure safety, uptime, and efficiency in a world-class lab environment. You will manage daily lab operations, calibrate equipment, and design test fixtures while coordinating with engineering teams on