SoftGoods Materials Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE)

Imagine what you can do here. At Apple, new ideas quickly become extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences. Bring your passion and dedication to your work, and there is no telling what you will accomplish. The people here do not just build products — they create experiences that revolutionize entire industries. Join Apple and help us leave the world better than we found it.

Description

In this highly visible role, you will hold process engineering (MDE) responsibility for next-generation Apple products, leading the selection, implementation, and optimization of cutting-edge manufacturing processes. Leveraging your engineering depth, you will partner cross-functionally with Product Design Engineering and Industrial Design to evaluate product features for manufacturability, identifying capable processes and advanced tooling solutions.

You will collaborate closely with Apple designers and global manufacturing partners to establish measurement and metrology systems, quality control plans, and scalable fabrication methods that achieve industry-leading cosmetic and mechanical specifications. Taking full ownership of partner execution against demanding timelines, you will ensure the seamless realization of extraordinary industrial designs into high-volume consumer products.

Responsibilities

Plan, execute, and oversee engineering experiments and feasibility studies to assess fabrication technologies, manufacturing capability, and long-term viability for new part architectures. Drive process development, DFM/DOE proposals, and equipment selection across supplier networks, ensuring alignment with tight design tolerances and program targets. Establish rigorous validation protocols to qualify tooling and production processes from initial development builds through high-volume mass production ramp. Analyze validation datasets using statistical and root-cause methodologies to deliver actionable technical recommendations and resolve critical process bottlenecks. Lead supplier engineering teams during NPI phases, setting milestone performance targets, managing technical deliverables, and securing required production resources. Identify manufacturing and supply chain risks early across worldwide supplier sites, proactively instituting preventative mitigation plans and corrective actions.

Minimum qualifications

Proven track record in process development, manufacturing engineering, or new product introduction (NPI) within high-volume production environments. Expertise leading DOE, DFM, process capability assessments, tooling validation, and structured root-cause failure analysis to drive proactive risk mitigation. Demonstrated success directing supplier engineering teams, driving technical roadmaps, and executing against aggressive project schedules. Professional fluency in Japanese, alongside strong English communication skills. Travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Preferred qualifications

Direct material and process experience with soft materials (PU, textiles, synthetic fabrics), or familiarity with mechanical fabricated parts, adhesives, precision tooling, jigs/fixtures, and injection molding. Track record delivering cosmetic parts that satisfy demanding surface finish and premium aesthetic standards. Deep understanding of GD&T, SPC, and advanced metrology or optical measurement systems. Demonstrated cross-functional project management acumen and comprehensive familiarity with DFx principles. BS or advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science/Engineering, Textile Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or equivalent experience.