Optics Manufacturing Engineer

Summary

Apple's Hardware Technology group is seeking a world-class Optics Manufacturing Engineer to develop advanced manufacturing processes for high-precision molded optics with external suppliers, from prototype through volume production. You will apply your expertise in molding, optical metrology, and tooling design and manufacturing to help establish systematic solutions that don't exist yet. We work at a fast pace and require everyone to be highly self-motivated. A successful candidate must be a flexible thinker who can problem-solve across disciplinary boundaries, communicate fluently in English with global cross-functional partners, and thrive in a dynamic vendor-facing environment.

Description

This individual will be embedded within our supply chain region, serving as a critical technical bridge among Apple's internal optics and display module teams, process development team, and vendor partners. The role focuses on precision molding process development, optical tooling design, metrology establishment, and opto-mechanical module integration—ensuring seamless translation of Apple's design intent into high-volume manufacturing reality.

Key Responsibilities

Precision Molding Process Development: Take ownership of developing manufacturing processes for high-precision molded optics with external suppliers. Lead process implementation and system establishment from initial feasibility through qualification, optimization, and volume production readiness. Use tools such as Moldflow, NX, and ANSYS or similar for tooling design modeling and manufacturability analysis. Tooling Design & Manufacturing: Drive tooling design, tolerance budgeting, and manufacturing with vendors. Collaborate on diamond turning, CNC machining, and optical compensation strategies to achieve required optical surface quality and form accuracy. Metrology Development & Establishment: Lead metrology development and work with suppliers on equipment and fixture bring-up, SOP assessment, and GRR analysis. Define optical inspection criteria, boundary samples, and inline metrology strategies across build phases. Failure Analysis & Corrective Action: Lead end-to-end failure analysis on molding defects, optical anomalies, and performance shifts induced by process or material variation. Drive root-cause identification and corrective actions using systematic 8D/CAR methodologies to improve yield and reliability. Supplier Technical Management & Quality Closed-Loop: Serve as Apple's primary in-region technical representative at molding and module assembly vendors, owning day-to-day engineering communication and issue resolution. Audit vendor processes, drive supplier-side DOEs, and enforce stringent quality and process controls. Manage readiness of production and delivery across development phases. Communication & Coordination: Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations clearly and regularly to Apple's engineering and program management teams. Lead technical alignment between component vendors, module integrators, and system assembly partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: MS or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Opto-Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Material Science, Optics, or an equivalent technical discipline with 2+ years of experience in a related field; or BS with 6+ years of experience in a related field Precision Optics Molding: 6+ years of hands-on experience in high-precision injection molding for optical applications, with a strong understanding of molding process parameters, material behavior, and their impact on optical performance Tooling & Moldflow Analysis: Familiarity with Moldflow analysis, tooling design, tooling manufacturing, and tolerance budgeting. Working knowledge of diamond turning, CNC machining, optical metrology, and compensation techniques Optical Metrology & Failure Analysis: Proficient in optical metrology methods and instrumentation relevant to molded optics. Ability to orchestrate failure analysis to trace molding and assembly defects to root causes and drive corrective actions Vendor Collaboration & Technical Management: Proven experience directing component suppliers, module integrators, and contract manufacturers. Ability to audit vendor processes, drive supplier-side DOEs, and enforce stringent quality and process controls Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work across traditional discipline boundaries Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to clearly articulate technical issues and recommendations to both internal teams and external vendors Good project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities simultaneously. Able to work independently with strong follow-up discipline Frequent travel may be required, up to 70%, to support vendor engagements and build activities

Preferred Qualifications

Good exposure in polymer science, engineering plastics, thermoplastics, liquid silicone rubber, and casting processes Experience with mechanical and thermal simulation tools (ANSYS, Abaqus) and statistical analysis tools (JMP, MATLAB) Experience with new technology development and transfer to mass production, including process characterization and yield improvement Proficiency with design of experiments (DOE), FMEA, design for manufacturability (DFM), and reliability engineering methodologies Experience leading engineering builds, molding issue troubleshooting, and managing production readiness across development phases Prior experience working within the Apple supply chain or in the consumer electronics field