CNC Prototype Machinist Lead

Apple•Seattle, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for an experienced CNC Prototype Machinist Lead to help establish a new Seattle-based lab for Apple’s Vision Product Group (VPG). In this role, you will join the VPG team while partnering closely with Apple’s Advanced Development Lab (ADL)—leveraging their established processes, tool libraries, and expertise to bring high-quality models and prototypes to life locally. In this highly collaborative position, you will work directly with VPG Hardware Engineering. Your day-to-day will entail preparing materials, setting up complex CNC Mill machines, programming tool paths, and conducting advanced metrology. Beyond hands-on machining, you will utilize your deep manufacturing background to offer design solutions and provide valuable feedback on machining processes that can optimize production cycle times. As the Lead CNC Prototype Machinist for our new Seattle lab, you will work autonomously on assignments that require considerable judgment and initiative. Because this is an up-and-coming lab, working in a small group setting and supporting startup-style activities is a must. You will serve as the foundational machining expert for the local team, collaborating directly with Apple’s Hardware Engineering VPG team while seamlessly interfacing with the ADL team to leverage shared processes and part submission workflows. This position requires an experienced machinist who has the ability to create unique work holdings to produce complex prototypes at the highest quality. You will be responsible for the end-to-end manufacturing process, from fixture design and 5-axis tool pathing to executing close-tolerance machining and validating critical features using both hand metrology and advanced inspection equipment. The ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to quickly adapt to new processes, troubleshoot complex setups, and provide direct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback to hardware and product design teams.

Requirements

7+ years of experience working in a new product development (NPD) environment
Experience setting up, operating, and programming CNC machines in a 3D CAD/CAM environment to produce complex 3D parts
Experience fabricating parts, jigs, fixtures, and custom tooling using machine shop tools
Experience holding close tolerances and validating critical features and dimensions using hand metrology equipment
Excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills
Ability to communicate technical feedback directly to engineering teams

Nice To Haves

CAD experience for part and fixture design
CAM experience for programming 3-5 axis parts on mills (Hypermill experience is highly preferred)
Experience with Hermle and Datron CNC machines
Experience with Heidenhain TNC7 controllers
Solid understanding of high-feed milling, high-speed machining, and high-performance machining concepts in CNC, including cutting tool design and constraints
Experience providing DFM (Design for Manufacturing) feedback to industrial or product design teams to optimize a design for CNC
Solid understanding of GD&T
Experience reading/interpreting engineering drawings and CAD models
Ability to set up and troubleshoot CNC processes
Ability to provide corrective actions
Ability to operate highly independently in a startup-style lab environment
Experience using horizontal and vertical saws, manual mills, and lathes
Advanced metrology experience, including programming a CMM and using CT scanning machines

Responsibilities

Prepare materials
Set up complex CNC Mill machines
Program tool paths
Conduct advanced metrology
Offer design solutions
Provide feedback on machining processes to optimize production cycle times
Create unique work holdings to produce complex prototypes
Manage the end-to-end manufacturing process, from fixture design and 5-axis tool pathing to executing close-tolerance machining and validating critical features
Adapt to new processes
Troubleshoot complex setups
Provide direct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback to hardware and product design teams