Technical Program Manager - Image Sensor & Process Integration

Apple•Cupertino, CA

About The Position

At Apple, Product Operations helps develop products, services, and customer experiences while supporting innovation and environmental efforts. The Technical Program Manager will lead continuous improvement of semiconductor device processes during product development, ramp-up, and throughout the product lifecycle. The role works with Apple's internal engineering teams, semiconductor device vendors, module integrators, and system integrators. Its scope includes image sensor devices used across all modules and systems and involves working across multiple locations on various continents, including on-site vendor visits. The position sets a vision for year-over-year product quality and operational improvements, establishes yield targets, and drives data-based yield improvement and process development. It contributes from product concept onward to ensure design for manufacturing, improve product quality, factory efficiency, and cost, and influence vendor selection. The role approves vendor process flows, process quality control plans, equipment lists, qualification plans, cosmetic specifications, and manufacturer readiness for mass production. The manager leads new process introductions and special projects, checks vendor conformance with Apple's specifications, coordinates test correlation and closure of test gaps among device, module, and system, and contributes to mass-production release reviews. During production, the role leads resolution of device-related quality issues across wafer fabrication, back-end processing, transit, and module integration; monitors and reports yield and manufacturing metrics; drives improvement programs; and manages analysis and closure of sensor-related returns and other issues. It also maintains accurate 8D reports and PCNs, issues and balances Quality Alerts, coordinates vendor–integrator meetings, and manages vendor quality relationships through reviews, reporting systems, audits, and qualification and reliability oversight. The role provides regular status updates to executives and escalates issues when needed. Evening and weekend work and international travel are required.

Requirements

At least 7 years of technical understanding of semiconductor devices, including problem solving and issue root-cause and data analysis in a pressured environment.
MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, semiconductor devices, or an allied technical subject.
Leadership, communication, teamwork, project management, and influencing skills.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
Ability to travel internationally.

Nice To Haves

Good working knowledge of semiconductor devices and associated module components, such as silicon processing or III-V.
Understanding of semiconductor processes such as etch and lithography, wafer testing, yield, wafer-fab process integration, wafer packaging, and back-end issues.
Familiarity with quality systems and quality control.

Responsibilities

Lead continuous improvement activities for semiconductor device processes during product development, ramp-up, and throughout the product lifecycle.
Set year-over-year product quality and operational improvement goals, establish yield targets, and drive plans to achieve them through data analysis and process development.
Contribute from product concept onward to ensure design for manufacturing and improve product quality, factory efficiency, and product cost.
Influence vendor selection for new products.
Approve vendor process flows, process quality control plans, equipment lists, qualification plans, and cosmetic specifications.
Manage new process introductions and special projects.
Approve device manufacturers for mass-production readiness and ensure vendors conform to Apple's specifications and requirements.
Ensure timely test correlation and close test gaps between device, module, and system.
Contribute to mass-production release reviews and verify readiness to ramp.
Lead resolution of device-related quality issues in wafer fabrication, back-end processing, transit, and module integration.
Monitor and report yield and manufacturing metrics, including CpK and FMEA, and drive improvement programs as appropriate.
Drive FACA for sensor-related integrator returns, field returns, and EFFA issues; track, report, and close issues in a timely manner.
Ensure 8D reports and PCNs are maintained accurately.
Raise and balance formal company-wide Quality Alerts.
Organize meetings among device vendors and module integrators to gather downstream feedback and support effective collaboration; assist and arbitrate as needed.
Manage quality relationships with image sensor vendors through face-to-face reviews, vendor reporting systems, and audits.
Ensure vendor qualification and reliability activities meet requirements.
Provide regular status updates to executives and escalate issues when needed.