Manufacturing Quality Engineer - Color

Apple, Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 246,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental

Employee stock programs

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple, Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Quality Engineer for Color in Cupertino, CA. This role defines color appearance specifications and quality control methods, working hands-on to ensure mass production meets ambitious cosmetic standards.

You will develop tools and measurement methods with Apple designers and suppliers, driving data‑driven improvements and on-site problem solving for flagship products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Engineering or Color Science required.
• 7+ years of experience in quality engineering, supplier quality management and manufacturing operations.
• Ability to travel 15-25% internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead specification development of color and appearance for products, programs, or components.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, material, and process development teams throughout color development.
• Perform data analysis to evaluate yields and drive corrective actions with suppliers.
• Communicate status and issues from concept to mass production.
• Qualify and implement quality inspection tools and methods.
• Develop studies to improve measurement methods and auditing procedures with suppliers.
• Review quality plans at supplier sites and internal Apple groups to ensure expectations are met.
• Monitor supplier performance via production statistics, inspections, and audits.
• Prepare summaries of performance for broader teams and management.

Skills

Quality engineering

Supplier quality management

Manufacturing operations

Color science

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Statistical thinking

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or Color Science

Tools

Statistical Process Control

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Operations and Supply Chain

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish!The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it!

Description

Our team of Manufacturing Quality Engineers for Color defines product color appearance specifications and manufacturing quality control methods. In this highly visible and highly hands‑on role, you will enjoy key decision‑making responsibilities combined with on‑site problem solving that comes with being responsible for the quality for some of the most visible products in the world today. We are responsible for developing and implementing quality tools, systems and instrumentation for groundbreaking product designs for cosmetically‑demanding applications. Are you passionate about enabling mass production of incredible products? We work in tandem with Apple’s renowned designers to develop measurement technologies, quality control strategies, information systems, and manufacturing methods that achieve ambitious specifications at massive production scale.

• Apply deep understanding of manufacturing concepts and quality control to lead the specification development of specific color and appearance for specific products, programs, or components.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, material, and process development teams through the entire color development process.
• Perform data analysis to evaluate yields of key processes and components and work cross‑functionally to implement data‑driven corrective actions with our suppliers.
• Clearly communicate the status and issues related to the color development of key components from the initial concept to mass production.
• Qualify and implement groundbreaking quality inspection tools; including visual and instrumental tools/processes.
• Develop and direct studies to implement improvements in measuring methods where appropriate.
• Establish audit procedures appropriate to program and supplier to ensure adherence to Apple quality standards.
• Review quality plans at supplier sites and internally with Apple groups to ensure expectations are understood at all levels.
• Evaluate supplier readiness and engage on supplier bring‑up for alignment to quality plans at all development and qualification stages.
• Monitor each supplier’s performance through measurement of production line statistics, company inspections, and audits.

Prepare summary of performance and communicate to appropriate broader team and management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Engineering or Color Science required
• 7+ years of experience working in quality engineering, supplier quality management, and manufacturing operations
• Ability to travel 15-25% internationally

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with visual comparison and assessment of color and texture
• Experience in developing quality plans or experience with color appearance, gloss and/or texture metrology
• Proven understanding of problem solving tools including root cause analysis and statistical process control principles
• Understanding of project management concepts; direct project management experience a plus.
• Experience with any of the following: optical coatings, plating, anodizing, resin compounding, pigmentation, textiles, dyeing, or other Color and Finishing processes

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 $163,500 and $246,200, 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.