iPhone Product Design Lab Manager

Socket.dev; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a hands-on Lab Technician to manage shared Product Design lab spaces onsite in Cupertino. You will operate equipment, assist engineers with prototype builds, and own the systems that keep the labs running.

You will work closely with mechanical and electrical teams across the product life cycle, supporting material characterization and lab setup as the footprint grows to enable future hardware offerings.

Qualifications

• AA in EE, ME or CS or 2+ years in a related field.
• Comfort with assembling and disassembling prototypes.
• Ability to handle confidential information and unreleased products.
• Ability to prioritize requests from multiple engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage shared lab spaces and workflows onsite.
• Operate lab equipment and support prototype builds.
• Assist with material characterization and lab systems.
• Coordinate with engineers to keep labs running smoothly.

Skills

Prototype handling

Written communication

Prioritization

Procedures writing

Education

AA in EE/ME/CS

2+ years in related field

Tools

CMM

Keyence

3D printers

Laser cutters

Job description

The Product Design labs team serves as a hub where designers, engineers, and makers collaborate to turn challenges into opportunities. We are involved in every aspect of the product life cycle, and we aim to design and deliver the greatest hardware offerings for our customers. In this role you will manage shared lab spaces, working hands‑on alongside the engineering teams who use them. You will operate equipment, support engineers with prototype builds and material characterization, and own the systems that keep the labs running.

Description

The Product Design Lab team supports a wide range of products, and you will be part of every stage of the design process, from prototype assembly through material characterization. The labs you manage directly enable projects that define future Apple products. This onsite role suits someone who wants to combine hands‑on technical work with ownership of how a lab actually runs. You will help stand up new lab spaces as our footprint grows, and see new technologies come through the door early.

Minimum 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with maker, metrology or failure analysis equipment such as CMM, Keyence, colorimeters, spectrophotometers, 3d printers, and laser cutters
• Experience coordinating with vendors, facilities, or construction teams during a lab buildout or equipment install
• Experience training or onboarding others on equipment and safety procedures