Manufacturing Design Engineer - Chennai / Bangalore
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The Apple Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) is accountable for driving the development of key mechanical manufacturing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base on any of our product lines. In this highly visible, hands-on role as the expert technical member of the Manufacturing Design Team you will have direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners and worldwide suppliers.
Apple MDE’s are extraordinary engineers that provide end to end manufacturing and process solutions for key design features. This includes manufacturing process development and capability (includes incorporating all aspects of equipment, consumables, key parameters, process setup, and qualification), selection and/or design of manufacturing equipment, automation, and strategic R&D.
- Evaluate product and industrial design goals to understand the dimensional, cosmetic, and functional priorities for the product
- Collaborate with Global Supply Managers and Apple’s manufacturing suppliers to align on a manufacturing development strategy with clear goals, deliverables, and schedule
- Identify and validate suitable fabrication equipment and processes to meet all Apple design and operational requirements
- Develop and document processes, including all parameters, consumables, and secondary operation requirements to meet defined specifications
- Conduct process optimization DOE’s, using data-driven and hands-on approaches together to find solutions to complex challenges
- Communicate ongoing process development status to cross-functional teams and lead discussions to align design requirements with manufacturing capability
- Willingness to travel locally and internationally to support manufacturing partner sites and collaborate with in-region team members
- Familiarity with a phase gate product development approach
The role also involves leading process development/expertise in one of the process development areas listed below:
CNC machining - Develop all CNC milling and turning processes. Scope appropriate CNC equipment to be used, develop CNC fixtures, implement touch probing, lead the reduction of cycle time, development of advanced cutters and coatings, High Speed Machining implementation, support the programming and optimization of all CNC-related activities at contract manufacturers worldwide. Own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on statistical process control (SPC) data analysis.
Assembly - Develop all assembly processes. Includes incorporating welding, gluing/adhesives, and mechanical fit based processes. Support qualification of equipment at suppliers, including detailed documentation of process parameters. Own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on statistical process control (SPC) data analysis. Identify automation opportunities and justify automation projects based on automation line efficiency metrics.
Surface Finishing - Develop new processes in the area of blasting, tumbling, polishing, wet sanding, lapping, anodizing, and PVD. Ensure that quality and yield requirements are met.
Glass Processing - Develop all processes for glass scribe/break, grinding, lapping, polishing, chemical strengthening, decoration and functional coatings (with inks, and other thin film deposition techniques etc). Ensure that quality and yield requirements are met.
- 6+ years of of experience in high-volume mechanical product development, manufacturing engineering, tooling engineering, high-precision fabrication, or similar roles
- BE / BTech / Masters / PhD in mechanical, manufacturing or industrial engineering from a premier school
- Hands-on experience in the following expertise: CNC, lathe, polishing, sandblasting, lapping, laser etching, laser welding, adhesive dispensing
- Understanding core principles of fixture and automation design, including the use of design software and FEA for stress/structural analysis
- Understanding core principles of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
- Understanding core principles of Data Analysis and Design of Experiments
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally & domestically up to 75%
- Hands-on approach to engineering and problem-solving
- A quick learner who approaches problems flexibly and proactively identifies solutions in the face of challenges
- Strong ability to influence using clear and concise communication skills to make data-driven manufacturing decisions
- Applies innovative approach to problem-solving by leveraging past experiences
- A passion for manufacturing and engineering excellence
- Unwillingness to compromise on quality and customer satisfaction
- Experience working with OEMs and Contract Manufacturers in the Consumer Electronics Industry is a plus