Hardware Polymers Materials Engineer

Socket.dev; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a Materials Engineer within the Product Design organization to drive development of new plastic materials and processes, meeting structural and aesthetic requirements across parts and product designs.

You will collaborate with suppliers, product and industrial design teams, and manage multiple projects with autonomy while advancing Apple's environmental goals for plastics.

Qualifications

• BS in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Organic Chemistry, plus three years of experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use statistical tools and techniques.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, providing technical expertise and updates on project milestones.
• High attention to detail, fastidious management of large quantities of details, solution-driven mindset to manage projects to successful completion.
• Some international travel is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop new plastic materials and processes to meet structural and aesthetic requirements across part designs.
• Foster collaborative relationships with Apple suppliers to influence product development.
• Collaborate with product design and industrial design groups on material selection, feasibility and aesthetics of new plastic parts.
• Help deliver Apple's environmental goals and reduce the carbon footprint of plastics.
• Manage multiple projects in parallel with a high level of autonomy and clear communication.

Job description

Here at Apple, the development and integration of revolutionary materials into our products is essential to the mechanical and electrical integrity, aesthetics, and overall feel our customers have come to expect. These materials are a critical aspect of what makes Apple products the best electronic devices in the world! Our Materials Engineering Product Design team is dedicated to creating and optimizing these materials. We influence and enable innovative designs across all Apple product lines year after year. We work with the utmost attention to detail, directly impacting the design of products that millions of people around the world love.

Description

As a Materials Engineer within the Product Design organization, you will drive the development of new plastic materials and processes to meet the structural and aesthetic requirements across a wide range of part designs and in support of Apple's ambitious design goals. This position is part of the Polymers Materials team within Materials Engineering. The candidate will be responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing new plastics materials used across Apple hardware products. They will foster collaborative relationships with Apple suppliers in order to influence product development to meet material needs anticipated in future Apple product designs. They will collaborate with product design and industrial design groups on material selection, design feasibility and aesthetics of new plastic part designs. They will help deliver Apple's materials environmental goals and reduce the carbon footprint of plastics. This position will require a high level of autonomy and effective communication as well as the management of multiple projects in parallel.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Organic Chemistry, plus three years of experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use statistical tools and techniques
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, providing technical expertise and updates on project milestones
• High attention to detail, fastidious management of large quantities of details, solution-driven mindset to manage projects to successful completion
• Some international travel is required

Preferred Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Organic Chemistry or 5+ years in plastics industry
• Strong materials fundamentals in plastic material properties, part design and fabrication
• Experience with plastics manufacturing processes, e.g., injection molding, 3D printing, compression molding, or other technologies
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive multiple projects, setting priorities and deliver results