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Manufacturing Design Engineer - iPhone

Apple· Operations and Supply Chain
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Sunnyvale, CA, Cupertino, CA, Austin, TX$163.5k - $246.2kFull-timePosted 3d ago

About the role

Apple iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) drives the development of key mechanical manufacturing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base, collaborating with Industrial Design, Product Design, and suppliers to design automation, fixtures, and modular components for high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

  • Drive automation and fixture design activities (machine design, vision, controls, and component fixturing) for key manufacturing processes in the enclosure and module spaces.
  • Innovate on assembly fixture designs through CAD conceptualization to drive down costs and improve part yields.
  • Identify automation needs and opportunities, provide design for automation feedback, conceptualize required automation and modular fixtures, assess design/schedule risk, provide technology capability analysis, negotiate deliverables, and create proof of concept where necessary.
  • Collaborate with integrators to drive detailed design reviews, iterate on fixture concepts, execute proof of concept, maintain and resolve issues lists, implement data logging and traceability requirements, review control logic and programming, and define qualification requirements for FAT/SAT.
  • Develop modular designs for component fixturing to maximize capital equipment reuse across years.
  • Drive cutting-edge R&D with in-house and industry partners to deliver step-change improvements to process capability.
  • Design precision fixtures for automation stations (laser welding, precision dispensing, insert molding, adhesive/masking tape application).
  • Maintain knowledge of equipment capabilities and leverage new technologies to enable improved capabilities.
  • Travel domestically and internationally on a quarterly basis.

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in automation, robotics applications, and fixture design for mass production
  • Machine and fixture design expertise
  • Experience designing, deploying, qualifying, supporting, and project managing automated manufacturing process lines with machine vision, motion control, sensors, and related components
  • Extensive experience using CAD to create engineering drawings with GD&T
  • BS/MS in mechanical, manufacturing, automation, mechatronics, robotics, or equivalent
  • 25% domestic and international travel
  • Ability to reconcile DFM feedback with design goals, drive root cause/corrective action, and perform DOE with statistical methods and tools (e.g., JMP, Matlab)
  • Ability to work independently on demanding, concurrent projects with creative solutions
  • Experience in vision-guided assembly, precision dispense, and laser welding in mass production
  • Experience designing scalable, modular fixtures reusable across product generations
  • Expertise with six-axis industrial robots and PLCs/IPCs (e.g., Fanuc, ABB; Mitsubishi, Beckhoff, Siemens) and related programming
  • Experience working with overseas international supply chains and contract manufacturers
  • Fluent English; Mandarin Chinese a plus

Skills

Required:Automation and fixture designMachine vision and sensorsCAD and GD&TSix-axis robots and PLCs/IPCsDFM/DOE and data analysis

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
  • Retirement benefits
  • Discounted products and free services
  • Education reimbursement for career advancement (tuition)
  • Potential discretionary bonuses or commissions
  • Relocation assistance
Last updated Oct 23, 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.

AirPods Max 2Apple ArcadeApple CardApple Fitness+Apple MusicApple TVApple TV+Apple Watch Series 11
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