Manufacturing Design Engineer - Materials

Apple Apple · Big Tech · Suzhou, Jiangsu, China · Operations and Supply Chain

This role focuses on developing and implementing high-precision material manufacturing processes for aluminum within Apple's supply chain. It involves collaborating with design, quality, and supply management teams to meet product goals, optimizing fabrication equipment and processes, and conducting data-driven optimization and root cause analysis. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in metallurgy, materials science, or related fields, and proficiency in English and Mandarin.

What you'd actually do

  1. You will lead the creation, evaluation, and implementation of end-to-end manufacturing solutions for primary metal - aluminum - used as the building blocks of Apple’s products.
  2. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders in Quality Engineering, Global Supply Management, Product Design, and Industrial Design in order to ensure our manufacturing solutions meet our product quality, cost, yield, capacity, schedule, cosmetic and environmental goals.
  3. You will be expected to: Evaluate product and industrial design goals to understand the dimensional, cosmetic, and functional priorities for the product
  4. Collaborate with Global Supply Managers and Apple’s manufacturing suppliers to align on a manufacturing development strategy with clear goals, deliverables, and schedules
  5. Identify and validate suitable fabrication equipment and processes to meet all Apple design and operational requirements

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor degree in metallurgy, materials science, mechanical engineering with materials emphasis, or related fields required
  • Proficiency in English and Mandarin
  • Ability to clearly explain abstract concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences

Nice to have

  • Experience in primary aluminum metal production, materials characterization, and manufacturing engineering of metal components using aluminum alloys.
  • Industry experience of aluminum melting, casting, rolling and extrusion processes, and aluminum recycling/electrification processes.
  • Able to apply core principles of Design of Experiment, Material Characterization, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, and Statistical Process Control
  • Utilizes a hands-on approach to engineering and problem-solving
  • Employs project management tools to effectively plan and track work to completion; diligent and reliable in executing tasks independently
  • Experience working with highly cosmetic parts or products is preferred
  • Experience on the shop floor, in a hobby or professional context, is preferred
  • Strong technical writing skills, able to clearly and persuasively communicate complex topics and adapt to suit the