Product Design Engineering Program Manager - Apple Watch

Summary

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something. Apple Watch is the ultimate device for a healthy life, requiring incredibly precise mechanical engineering that combines premium materials, advanced health sensors, and miniaturized systems into a beautifully compact form factor. We are looking for a dedicated Product Design EPM to lead the development of our world-class device enclosures, balancing structural integrity, premium aesthetics, and cutting-edge technology integration.

Description

The PD EPM is a hands-on programmatic role where you will be responsible for delivering mechanical enclosures and modules through the entire program life cycle, from early architecture and design to mass production. It includes frequent multi-disciplinary collaboration with teams like Product Design, RF, EE, System EPM, EPS and Operations. You will be responsible for driving the program through the entire development process, creating and maintaining streamlined schedules, driving cross-functional progress, managing mechanical and system builds at vendor and final assembly factories, and presenting multiple levels of status updates to org leaders and executives.

Key Responsibilities

Drive the strategic execution of mechanical design, ensuring alignment with overall project goals, product experience standards, and reliability targets. Lead the creation and adherence of project schedules, ensuring key milestones are met across all phases. Go beyond holding teams accountable by actively guiding, anticipating roadblocks, and pushing cross-functional groups toward the most effective engineering paths. Facilitate clear and consistent communication and alignment between internal teams and external partners, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals. Provide strong leadership and support during build phases, ensuring timely delivery. Build strategic partnerships focused on elevating vendor capabilities. Coach their teams on how to execute new product introduction (NPI) builds to the highest engineering standards, drive their continuous operational p

Minimum Qualifications

Previous experience in engineering program management. Experience in mechanical engineering delivering products comprised of multiple advanced materials (e.g., metals, glass, ceramics, advanced adhesives, engineering plastics) is preferred. Experience leading product development in highly dynamic and ambiguous work environments, supporting high-volume mechanical manufacturing and system integration. Excellent communication, teamwork, cross-functional engagement, and strong presentation skills. Ability to anticipate functional direction and roadblocks, prioritize parallel closure paths, and effectively distill and communicate relevant data to the appropriate functional and leadership teams. Demonstrates independent initiative and attention to detail with proven creative and critical thinking capabilities. Experience engaging with manufacturers on Design for Manufacturability (DFM), FAI/CPK, quality control, and production timelines. BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent; MS degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years of experience related to engineering program management in the consumer electronics industry. Wide knowledge of mechanical development processes including a detailed understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC machining, stamping, forging, injection molding, metrology) and tooling timelines. Shipped multiple full life-cycle programs with demonstrated experience in early architecture, development build execution, and operational mass production. Experience as a primary point of contact with vendors and contract manufacturing partners to establish a daily build plan, provide clear direction, and offer guidance to meet program and build objectives.