Lab Manager

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock programs

Educational expense reimbursement

Comprehensive medical and dental

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Lab Manager in Cupertino, CA to lead a small team of lab technicians and coordinates hands-on testing for engineering programs. You will operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment while ensuring a safe, efficient, and compliant lab environment.

The role combines people leadership with technical ownership, requiring on-site presence five days a week and flexibility around equipment deliveries and experiments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years in a technical/engineering lab environment with hands-on testing and equipment operation.
• 1+ year in a leadership or mentoring role.

Responsibilities

• Hire, mentor, and develop a small team of lab technicians/coordinators.
• Set priorities, assign work, and ensure quality and consistency.
• Conduct performance reviews and development conversations for direct reports.

Skills

Lab management

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Equipment operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Asset management systems

Inventory software

Calibration procedures

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

Our team designs, builds, and tests next-generation hardware and technologies that power Apple products used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. We're looking for a Lab Manager to help us maintain a world-class engineering lab environment where our teams can innovate quickly, safely, and reliably.

Description

As Lab Manager, you'll wear two hats: you'll lead and develop a team of lab technicians/coordinators while also rolling up your sleeves as an individual contributor — running experiments, operating equipment, and directly supporting engineering programs. This is a hybrid player-coach role for someone who wants both people leadership and hands-on technical ownership. You'll ensure the lab runs safely and efficiently while also being a technical resource engineers can rely on day-to-day.

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 (Environmental Health & Safety) 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

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 3+ years of hands-on experience working in a technical/engineering lab environment, including direct execution of tests and equipment operation
• 1+ years of experience leading, mentoring, or managing a team (direct reports, project team, or informal lead role)
• Strong understanding of lab safety standards, hazardous materials handling, and regulatory compliance
• Experience with equipment maintenance, calibration procedures, and asset management systems
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance individual technical work with team management responsibilities
• Ability to lift and move lab equipment as needed
• Willingness to work on-site 5 days a week; some roles may require flexibility for early/late hours around equipment deliveries, test schedules, or urgent repairs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a hardware development or R&D environment (consumer electronics preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to switch fluidly between hands-on technical work and people leadership in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA) and chemical/electrical safety protocols
• Experience with inventory/asset management software and procurement systems
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work cross-functionally with engineers, technicians, and vendors
• Experience supporting confidential or prototype-stage hardware programs

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 $183,700 and $319,800, 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

Note: Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.