Manufacturing Design Engineer

Apple

About The Position

At Apple, the Manufacturing Design Engineer manages the selection, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes for mechanical enclosure subassemblies. The role applies mechanical engineering experience and collaborates with Product Design Engineering and Industrial Design to assess product features for manufacturability and recommend capable production processes and equipment. The engineer collaborates with US-based MDE counterparts and Global Supply Managers to develop mechanical processes and new equipment, from RFQ through factory implementation, and to support on-time, on-cost material delivery to downstream supply-chain nodes. Working with Mechanical Quality Engineers and suppliers, the role establishes process capability and readiness, refines mechanical tooling and fixtures, and improves yield through part-quality analysis, defect Pareto analysis, and statistical process control. The position coordinates clearly across Asia- and US-based teams and vendors, may audit supplier secondary processes, and supports product builds from prototype through ramp and mass production. The role provides leadership at manufacturing sites, drives engineering issues to resolution, and uses data analysis, DOE, and SPC to guide process decisions. It designs and documents manufacturing process flows, selects equipment, designs fixtures and automation, determines process parameters, and finalizes solutions from prototype through mass production. It also demonstrates process capability to Product Designers and Industrial Designers to define part tolerances and specifications; leads process development in assembly, bonding, and laser applications; owns yield-improvement actions and process-change decisions; and identifies, researches, develops, and qualifies equipment manufacturers and suppliers. The position requires independent work at manufacturing sites and frequent travel exceeding 50%, mainly in Asia.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.
Proficient in English as a working language, both verbal and written.
Ability to work independently at manufacturing sites.
Willingness to travel frequently, over 50% of the time, mainly in Asia.
Able to manage vendor relationships and conflicts, direct vendors to implement actions, and deliver results.
Action-oriented, proactive, and able to manage challenges and provide solutions.
A self-starter and standout teammate with innovation, integrity, and attention to detail.
Quick learner able to develop process knowledge, influence design, and apply innovation to process engineering.

Nice To Haves

Master's or Ph.D. degree.
Proven record of outstanding academic performance.
Cross-disciplinary knowledge such as mechatronics, control theory, or machine learning.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with US-based MDE counterparts in developing mechanical processes.
Work with Global Supply Managers to develop new equipment from RFQ through factory implementation and support timely, on-cost delivery of material to downstream supply-chain nodes.
Work with Mechanical Quality Engineers to improve yield through analysis of part quality, defect Pareto, and SPC.
Work with suppliers to define and refine mechanical tooling and fixtures and establish process capability and readiness.
Coordinate activities and communicate clearly between Asia- and US-based teams and vendors.
Audit supplier secondary processes as needed and support product builds from prototype through ramp and mass production.
Provide leadership at manufacturing sites during development and product production ramp, and drive engineering issues to resolution.
Use data analysis, DOEs, and SPC to drive process decisions.
Design and document process flows and details, select processing equipment, design fixtures and automation, initiate DOEs to determine processes and parameters, and finalize process solutions from prototype through mass production.
Demonstrate process capability to Product Designers and Industrial Designers to define part tolerances and specifications.
Lead process development and develop assembly automation and fixtures for assembly, bonding processes such as glue and welding, and laser processes such as welding, cutting, etching, and surface treatment.
Own yield-improvement actions and process-change decisions based on SPC data analysis.
Identify, research, develop, and qualify equipment manufacturers and suppliers.