Product Design Lead

Apple Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 216,200 - 394,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA, seeks a seasoned Mechanical Design Engineer to inspire and guide a team of product design engineers in exploring and developing novel electromechanical systems.

You will champion design excellence, pushing boundaries while ensuring quality and manufacturability. Collaborating with Electrical, Software, Controls and Manufacturing teams, you will oversee detailed mechanical designs, 2D drawings and BOMs, and apply advanced simulation and analysis to optimize

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in product design and development of electromechanical systems.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring a team of engineers.
• Deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, heat transfer and materials science.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX).
• Thorough knowledge of engineering materials, understanding of property trade‑offs and interpreting FEA results.
• Experience with tolerance analysis and GD&T.
• Experience working with a variety of manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, injection moulding, casting).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including emails, slide presentations and presenting technical concepts to multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Experience working with external manufacturing vendors.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and guide a team of Product Design Engineers in the exploration and development of novel electromechanical systems.
• Champion design excellence, ensuring our creations embody Apple's commitment to simplicity, elegance, and uncompromising quality.
• Lead the team in pushing the boundaries of what's possible, exploring new technologies and approaches to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, where every team member is empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including Electrical, Software, Controls, Manufacturing and others to bring groundbreaking concepts to life.
• Oversee the creation of detailed mechanical designs, 2D drawings and BOMs, ensuring precision and accuracy in every detail.
• Utilize advanced simulation and analysis techniques to optimize designs for performance, reliability and manufacturability.
• Work closely with our manufacturing partners to ensure our designs are realized with the highest level of craftsmanship and quality.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring the successful execution of our ambitious projects.
• Stay at the forefront of electromechanical design, exploring emerging technologies and trends to inform our future creations.
• Present compelling design concepts and technical details to internal stakeholders and external partners, inspiring excitement and confidence in our vision.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s or PhD in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

NX

FEA

Tolerance analysis

GD&T

Machining

Injection molding

Casting

Job description

Description

• Inspire and guide a team of exceptional Product Design Engineers in the exploration and development of novel electromechanical systems.
• Champion design excellence, ensuring our creations embody Apple's commitment to simplicity, elegance, and uncompromising quality.
• Lead the team in pushing the boundaries of what's possible, exploring new technologies and approaches to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, where every team member is empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including Electrical, Software, Controls, Manufacturing and others to bring groundbreaking concepts to life.
• Oversee the creation of detailed mechanical designs, 2D drawings and BOMs, ensuring precision and accuracy in every detail.
• Utilize advanced simulation and analysis techniques to optimize designs for performance, reliability and manufacturability.
• Work closely with our manufacturing partners to ensure our designs are realized with the highest level of craftsmanship and quality.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring the successful execution of our ambitious projects.
• Stay at the forefront of electromechanical design, exploring emerging technologies and trends to inform our future creations.
• Present compelling design concepts and technical details to internal stakeholders and external partners, inspiring excitement and confidence in our vision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in product design and development of electromechanical systems.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring a team of engineers.
• Deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, heat transfer and materials science.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX).
• Thorough knowledge of engineering materials, understanding of property trade‑offs and interpreting FEA results.
• Experience with tolerance analysis and GD&T.
• Experience working with a variety of manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, injection moulding, casting).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including emails, slide presentations and presenting technical concepts to multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Experience working with external manufacturing vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Dynamics modeling experience.
• Fluent in Siemens NX including surfacing tools, statistical software (JMP), macOS.
• Experience working through entire product cycle including shipping product experience.
• Experience working through full product cycle including mass production and collaborating with Asian manufacturing facilities.

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 $216,200 and $394,000, 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.

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 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, colour, 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.