Physical Vapor Deposition SME

Apple•Cupertino, CA

About The Position

The Apple PVD Subject Matter Expert (SME) drives the research, development, and mass-production implementation of next-generation Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating technologies across Apple’s worldwide supply base. As a hands-on technical expert on the Manufacturing Design Team, the role collaborates with Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners, equipment makers, and process manufacturing partners to develop industry-leading coatings for metal and brittle substrates. The SME investigates and solves challenging technical problems that may require non-standard manufacturing approaches. The role advances PVD coating technology through process development, plasma and deposition simulation, fixturing optimization, and thin-film material analysis, contributing to products from initial concept through ramp into high-volume production. It plans, implements, analyzes, and optimizes high-volume PVD processes to meet demanding cosmetic, color, and functional reliability requirements on complex 3D surfaces.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Proficiency in programming and numerical simulation tools such as Python, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, MATLAB, or similar, applied to plasma physics, gas dynamics, or deposition modeling.
Strong background in materials science, thin-film deposition techniques, vacuum technology, and surface science.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with external manufacturing vendors, equipment builders, or tier-1 suppliers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate complex technical details to multidisciplinary teams and leadership.
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and overseas (20%+).
3+ years of hands-on experience in thin-film coating development, specifically PVD, sputtering, or cathodic arc, or in high-volume coating manufacturing environments.
Excellent problem-solving skills focused on root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. degree focused on Materials Science, Physics, Thin Film Deposition, Plasma Physics, or Surface Engineering.
Expertise in thin-film characterization methods such as XPS, SEM, TEM, XRD, spectrophotometry, or ellipsometry to evaluate microstructure, composition, optical properties, and mechanical performance.
Experience in coating equipment hardware design, cathode or source optimization, and custom PVD fixturing design for complex 3D parts.
Experience establishing and validating PVD processes for highly cosmetic consumer electronics that meet tight cosmetic, color, and environmental reliability standards.
Familiarity with big data analytics, statistical process control (SPC), machine learning, or automated defect analysis in a production environment.
Superior color discrimination ability and deep experience with cosmetic surface finishing.
Proven ability to lead a development program from early-stage research through high-volume manufacturing execution in a fast-paced matrix organization.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement PVD coating processes for metal and glass or other brittle substrates, meeting cosmetic and functional requirements.
Develop, validate, and maintain process and plasma simulation models, including models using COMSOL or ANSYS Fluent, to understand relationships between process parameters, chamber and fixturing dynamics, and coating properties.
Use validated simulation models to predict and optimize coating thickness distribution, uniformity, color, and cosmetics on complex 3D components and fixturing.
Collaborate with Apple Industrial Design and Product Design teams to translate design intent and aesthetic visions into engineering specifications and manufacturing process windows.
Work with equipment makers and overseas manufacturers; design and execute development trials, evaluate supplier capabilities, and address production gaps using advanced process controls.
Plan and execute development trials and DOE studies to confirm process feasibility, optimize process inputs, and ensure repeatability for high-volume manufacturing.
Analyze data and present technical recommendations, risk assessments, and process analyses to decision-makers to support design, cosmetic, and commercial commitments.
Manage multiple concurrent technical development projects across vendors, cross-functional teams, and internal resources to meet product development schedules.
Develop PVD coating technology through process development, plasma and deposition simulation, fixturing optimization, and thin-film material analysis.
Plan, implement, analyze, and optimize high-volume PVD processes for complex 3D surfaces.