Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) - Battery

Apple; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) to lead development and implementation of innovative manufacturing processes across Apple’s global supply base. You will collaborate with Industrial Design, Product Design, and Manufacturing Design teams as well as our worldwide suppliers to bring creative manufacturing solutions to life.

In this role you will define processes for CNC machining, surface finishing, glass processing, assembly and painting; drive DOE studies, document process

Qualifications

• BS or higher in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial engineering or related field.
• Understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Hands-on engineering approach and data-driven mindset.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams with clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate product and industrial design goals to understand the dimensional, cosmetic, and functional priorities for the product.
• Collaborate with Global Supply Managers and Apple’s manufacturing suppliers to align on a manufacturing development strategy with clear goals, deliverables, and schedules.
• Identify and validate suitable fabrication equipment and processes to meet all Apple design and operational requirements.
• Develop and document processes including all parameters, consumables, and secondary operation requirements to meet defined specifications.
• Conduct process optimization DOE’s, using data‑driven and hands‑on approaches together to find solutions to complex challenges.
• Communicate ongoing process development status to cross‑functional teams and lead discussions to align design requirements with manufacturing capability.
• Willingness to travel internationally to support manufacturing partner sites and collaborate with in‑region team members.
• Familiarity with a phase‑gate product development approach.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

CNC Machining processes

Job description

The Apple Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) is accountable for leading the development and implementation of innovative manufacturing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base. In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, and Manufacturing Design partners, as well as our worldwide suppliers. The MDE role empowers you to bring creativity to Apple’s manufacturing approach, enabling us to deliver our best work to as many customers as possible.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate product and industrial design goals to understand the dimensional, cosmetic, and functional priorities for the product.
• Collaborate with Global Supply Managers and Apple’s manufacturing suppliers to align on a manufacturing development strategy with clear goals, deliverables, and schedules.
• Identify and validate suitable fabrication equipment and processes to meet all Apple design and operational requirements.
• Develop and document processes including all parameters, consumables, and secondary operation requirements to meet defined specifications.
• Conduct process optimization DOE’s, using data‑driven and hands‑on approaches together to find solutions to complex challenges.
• Communicate ongoing process development status to cross‑functional teams and lead discussions to align design requirements with manufacturing capability.
• Willingness to travel internationally to support manufacturing partner sites and collaborate with in‑region team members.
• Familiarity with a phase‑gate product development approach.

Technical Areas

• CNC machining – develop all CNC milling and turning processes, scope appropriate CNC equipment, develop CNC fixtures, implement touch probing, reduce cycle time, develop advanced cutters and coatings, implement High Speed Machining, support programming and optimization at contract manufacturers worldwide; own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on SPC data analysis.
• Surface Finishing – develop new processes in blasting, tumbling, polishing, wet sanding, lapping, plating, anodizing, and PVD in response to cosmetic, functional, and reliability targets; ensure that quality and yield requirements are met.
• Glass Processing – develop all processes for glass scribe/break, grinding, lapping, polishing, chemical strengthening, decoration, and functional coatings (including inks and thin‑film deposition techniques); ensure that quality and yield requirements are met.
• Assembly – develop all assembly processes, incorporating welding, gluing/adhesives, and mechanical‑fit based processes; lead qualification of equipment at suppliers, including detailed documentation of process parameters; own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on SPC data analysis; identify automation opportunities and justify automation projects based on line‑efficiency metrics.
• Painting – develop all paint processes to achieve cosmetic and surface durability requirements; scope and specify paint equipment, environmental clean‑room requirements, evaluate and select appropriate paints and painting parameters to ensure quality and yield requirements are met.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical product development, manufacturing engineering, tooling engineering, high‑precision fabrication, or similar roles.
• BS or higher in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or related fields (preferred).
• Understanding of core principles of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.
• Hands‑on approach to engineering and problem‑solving.
• Quick learner who approaches problems flexibly and proactively identifies solutions in the face of challenges.
• Strong ability to influence using clear and concise communication skills to make data‑driven manufacturing decisions.
• Applies innovative approach to problem solving by leveraging past experiences.
• A passion for manufacturing and engineering excellence, with unwillingness to compromise on quality and customer satisfaction.