Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE)

Quick Facts

• Role: Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE)

• Focus: High-precision mechanical manufacturing processes across global suppliers

Description

Lead end-to-end manufacturing solution development, evaluation, and implementation for Apple hardware enclosures. Collaborate with Quality Engineering, Global Supply Management, Product Design, and Industrial Design to align manufacturing capabilities with product dimensional, cosmetic, functional, quality, cost, yield, capacity, schedule, and environmental goals. Apply data-driven process development and optimization (including DOE) and partner with suppliers to validate equipment and processes.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate design goals to understand dimensional, cosmetic, and functional priorities

• Align on manufacturing development strategy with goals, deliverables, and schedules

• Identify and validate fabrication equipment and processes to meet design and operational requirements

• Develop and document processes (parameters, consumables, and secondary operation requirements)

• Run process optimization DOE using data-driven, hands-on approaches

• Communicate process development status and lead cross-functional alignment discussions

• Travel internationally to support manufacturing partner sites

• Apply phase gate product development approach

Potential Focus Areas (may be led)

• CNC machining: develop CNC milling/turning processes, fixtures, touch probing, cycle-time reduction, cutters/coatings, high-speed machining; support CNC programming and optimization; drive yield improvements using SPC

• Surface finishing: develop processes such as blasting, tumbling, polishing, wet sanding, lapping, plating, anodizing, PVD to meet cosmetic, functional, and reliability targets

• Glass processing: develop scribe/break, grinding, lapping, polishing, chemical strengthening, decoration, and functional coatings (inks and thin-film deposition)

• Assembly: develop assembly processes including welding, gluing/adhesives, and mechanical-fit; qualify supplier equipment with detailed parameter documentation; drive yield improvements via SPC; identify and justify automation opportunities using line efficiency metrics

• Painting: develop paint processes to meet cosmetic and surface durability requirements; scope equipment and clean-room environmental requirements; select paints and parameters to meet quality/yield

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in mechanical product development, manufacturing engineering, tooling engineering, high precision fabrication, or similar roles

• BS or higher in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or related fields

• Ability to travel 25%+