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DFM PCBA Engineer

Apple· Operations and Supply Chain
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Hybrid (Austin, TX), Hybrid (Cupertino, CA)Full-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

PCBA Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Engineer at Apple, bridging design and mass production for challenging consumer PCBA and Flex designs. Collaborates with cross-functional teams and vendors to develop, productize, and mass produce PCBA designs with emphasis on quality, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability from concept through high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

  • Drive PCBA and related system design decisions to optimize product performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
  • Develop, champion, and apply internal guidelines and best practices for PCB design and assembly across Apple's product lines.
  • Conduct rigorous DFM reviews of rigid and flexible PCBA and custom component designs, providing actionable feedback and solutions to design teams.
  • Design and optimize PCBA manufacturing processes, including process flow, assembly materials, panel array design, and critical process parameters.
  • Collaborate strategically with design engineers, manufacturing partners, and material suppliers to develop and validate cutting-edge PCBA assembly technologies and materials.
  • Innovate and develop new manufacturing processes, tooling, and automation solutions, driving efficiency and capability.
  • Establish and refine design rules and formulas to ensure the consistent creation of manufacturable component land patterns.
  • Partner with eCAD Librarians to review and validate component land patterns for multi-vendor compatibility and DFM.
  • Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOEs) and test builds to establish robust manufacturing boundary conditions and validate new technologies.
  • Assess and verify PCB assembly vendor technical capabilities, proactively identifying and articulating potential gaps and risks.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive checklists to ensure design maturity and factory readiness for new product introductions.
  • Define and implement robust methodologies for workmanship, maintenance, and data retention requirements with PCBA assembly vendors, ensuring compliance and quality.
  • Communicate complex technical information fluidly and effectively across diverse cross-functional teams and present clear, concise updates to Apple leadership.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in an engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Electrical, Materials Science) or equivalent practical experience.
  • 3+ years of relevant experience in PCBA, electronic assembly or related field.
  • Demonstrated high level of creativity and intellectual curiosity, particularly in materials science and electronics packaging.
  • Robust understanding of engineering fundamentals, with the ability to apply material science, thermodynamics, and mechanical engineering principles to complex manufacturing and design challenges.
  • Proven ability to self-manage projects, drive initiatives, and deliver impactful results in a fast-paced development environment.
  • Ability and willingness to travel internationally up to 25%.
  • Familiarity with, or a strong aptitude to rapidly learn, various advanced soldering methods (e.g., reflow, wave, selective, robotic, laser solder jetting, hotbar soldering).
  • Deep understanding of PCBA material selection considerations, including solder alloys, fluxes, epoxies, adhesives, conformal coatings, and cleaning solvents.
  • Knowledge of PCB Fabrication, Flexible PCB Fabrication, and First-Level Interconnect (FLI) Si Packaging processes.
  • Experience with common PCBA inspection and test techniques (e.g., SPI, AOI, X-ray, AXI, ICT).
  • Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., IPC, JEDEC, ASTM, IEEE).
  • Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis software (e.g., JMP, Minitab, MATLAB).
  • Ability to leverage programming and scripting for problem-solving (e.g., Python, C++, SQL) and experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) is a plus.

Skills

Required:PCBA design and manufacturingDesign of Experiments (DOE)Vendor and supplier collaborationRoot cause analysis and failure investigationsMaterials science and electronics packaging
Nice to have:Soldering and interconnect technologiesProgramming and scripting
Last updated Jul 10, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Apple

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

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