iPhone Product Design Lab Manager

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

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

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.

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.

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.

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 $39.87 and $82.77/hr, 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. Learn more about Apple Benefits

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

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.