Hardware Prototyping Lab Manager – Hands-On Operations

Apple Inc.; Cupertino, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Retirement benefits

Discounted products and services

Educational expense reimbursement

Discretionary bonuses or commissions

Relocation

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking an on-site Lab Operations Specialist to manage shared Product Design labs. You will operate equipment, support engineers with prototype builds and material characterization, and own systems that keep labs running.

You will stand up new lab spaces as our footprint grows, coordinate with project teams, facilities and program managers, and ensure safety and compliance across equipment and workflows.

Qualifications

• AA in EE, ME, or CS, OR completion of 2+ years at a 4‑year university in a similar field, OR previous experience in a lab, manufacturing, or technical operations environment.
• Comfortable handling, assembling, and disassembling product prototypes.
• Sound judgment while handling unreleased products and confidential information.
• Able to manage competing requests from multiple engineering teams, setting priority based on business needs.
• Clear written communication. Able to write procedures and training material others can follow.

Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day operations for the labs you own. These labs hold a range of metrology and failure analysis equipment and support multiple Product Design teams.
• Operate equipment and support Design Engineers with assembly, disassembly, and modification of product prototypes.
• Install and qualify new lab equipment from start to finish. This includes vendor coordination, procurement, facilities requirements, acceptance testing, writing standard operating procedures, and training operators.
• Own asset records and lab compliance, including asset tracking, calibration schedules, equipment moves, and facilities and safety inspections.
• Manage lab access and onboarding for engineers, interns, and new hires.
• Support product events and studies that need lab space, equipment, and hands‑on coordination.
• Help bring up new lab spaces by working with project teams, facilities, and program managers to turn engineering needs into space and equipment requirements.

Skills

Lab operations

Prototype assembly

Equipment setup

Vendor coordination

Safety training

Education

AA in EE/ME/CS or 2+ years at a 4-year university in related field

Tools

CMM

Keyence

Colorimeters

Spectrophotometers

3D printers

Laser cutters

Job description

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking an on-site Lab Operations Specialist to manage shared Product Design labs. You will operate equipment, support engineers with prototype builds and material characterization, and own systems that keep labs running.

You will stand up new lab spaces as our footprint grows, coordinate with project teams, facilities and program managers, and ensure safety and compliance across equipment and workflows.