Advanced Manufacturing Engineer - SoftGoods
Cupertino, California, United States
Operations and Supply Chain
Summary
Posted: Apr 24, 2025
Weekly Hours: 40
Role Number: 200596922
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion
and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.
The people here at Apple don't just create products - they create the kind of wonder
that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas
that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing
technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the
world better than we found it.
In this highly visible role, you will architect, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes and inspection systems to enable legendary SoftGoods products. You will apply your mechanical engineering experience to work across multi-functional teams in Product Design and Industrial Design. You will collaborate on product features to ensure manufacturability while developing capable processes, equipment, automation, and inspection solutions.
Description
SoftGoods Advanced Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for developing manufacturing and inspection solutions for Apple products. In this role, you will conduct research and development on new technologies that solve complex assembly, automation, and measurement problems. SoftGoods AMEs engage in early architecture development with cross functional designers to assist with designing for manufacturability at scale while enabling ambitious design goals.
You will employ your mechanical engineering background in the following areas:
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT:
Develop new or improved processes through application of theoretical and practical engineering principles
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of meaningful technical trends and developments in industry and incorporate them appropriately.
Plan, propose, and lead experiments to produce timely and accurate
analyses that drive design, development, and supply chain decisions.
Assess the suitability of a fabrication technology for a given part design. Plan
validation exercises to demonstrate initial feasibility and manufacturing capability. Analyze results of validation exercises and provide technical recommendations.
Review progress of development activities at supplier locations and serve as point
of escalation for critical process related issues.
INSPECTION DEVELOPMENT:
Develop and qualify inspection methods to enable challenging measurements in early development
Plan and execute statistical DOEs, multifactor analysis, and data visualization that generate confidence in conclusive results.
Recommend and prioritize which data and analysis to conduct in early proof-of-concept and proto@type builds. Provide analytical insights to assist with design convergence and process development.
NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION:
Act as lead engineer to drive process and inspection development, process capability assessment, and review of part designs to ensure alignment with manufacturing methods.
Assign specific tasks and work with Apple suppliers to support process development, data collection, and analysis. Set clear goals for results and provide timely reviews of
performance throughout programs.
Establish validation procedures to determine acceptance of process and inspection equipment into development builds and mass production.
Quantify impact of process and inspection innovations with respect to operational goals including labor reduction, cost, and Carbon Neutral 2030.
Ensure successful investigations, process, and inspection solutions are handed off, adopted, and supported across SoftGoods Operations teams.
SUPPLIER EXECUTION:
Review supplier tool design, process flow, inspection methods, equipment selection, DFM, and DOE proposals. Identify shortfalls and corrective actions to ensure design compliance.
Work with supplier engineering teams to conduct process development exercises,
qualify inspections, secure resources, and commit to schedules that meet program goals.
Assess equipment vendor capabilities to achieve machine/automation requirements, provide expert recommendations, optimize for cost and footprint, and provide ongoing support.
Assess supplier readiness to support build events and production ramp. Identify
potential execution issues and provide recommendations to mitigate risk.
Minimum Qualifications
7+ years demonstrated experience supporting new product launches from a mechanical,
tooling, or product development perspective.
Experience with mechanical fabricated parts, adhesives, glues, jigs, fixtures,
tooling, injection molding, additive manufacturing, plastics, textiles is required.
BS in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing and deploying process machines, automation, or inspection solutions.
Deep understanding of DOE, GD&T, SPC techniques.
Willingness to travel internationally to supplier sites.
International experience, particularly in Asia is a plus
Demonstrated hands-on mechanical ability.
Excellent written, visual, and verbal interpersonal skills.
Experience with highly cosmetic parts a plus.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $151,200 and $227,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.Learn more about Apple Benefits. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .
Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.
Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .
Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .
Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .
Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you're applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
