162 jobs for "Optical Engineer"

Our Philosophy on Quality
In an AI-driven future, quality transcends inspection. It is the cornerstone of trust, innovation, and sustainability. We are building a proactive quality discipline that leverages deep materials science and intelligent data to design excellence in from the start-enabling groundbreaking features, driving toward goals like 100% First Pass Yield, and ensuring responsible manufacturing through prescriptive insights and zero subjective judgement.

About the role
We are seeking an outstanding and highly specialized Brittles Manufacturing Quality Engineer to be a leader within our supply chain. You will embody this philosophy by moving beyond traditional quality control to fundamentally de-risk and enable the future of manufacturing. This role is critical in driving the quality and reliability of advanced brittle materials and components (e.g., ceramics, advanced glasses, crystalline structures) at mass production scale. Because our future geometry designs will involve a significant increase in optical sensing investigations, a strong background in optical properties and metrology is essential for this role. The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert who combines deep materials science knowledge, exceptional root-cause problem-solving capabilities, and data-driven analytical skills to solve complex manufacturing challenges, ensuring products meet the most ambitious quality standards.

Description
- Early Engagement & Proactive Quality Planning: Partner with Hardware Engineering Team, Product Design teams in the early concept phases (N+1 / N+2 products) to conduct advanced quality, process, and design assessments for new brittle materials and components. Develop a comprehensive mass production (MP) scaling and quality plan based on early assessments to de-risk high-volume launch.
- Act as the Quality Engineering lead for assigned programs, managing all quality functions and serving as the project manager for quality initiatives at supplier locations.
- Partner with global teams (Design, Process Engineering, Supplier Management) to evaluate product designs and manufacturing processes for brittle materials during the concept and development phases.
- Develop and implement measurement technologies, control strategies, and quality inspection tools for evaluating the structural integrity, cosmetic, optical, and dimensional characteristics of brittle parts.
- Lead investigations into optical sensing integration, validating the optical performance and manufacturability of complex new geometry designs.
- Design and validate specialized test methods and gauges for brittle material properties. Compile and analyze data to establish precise process and part specifications.
- Lead rapid and rigorous problem-solving initiatives: Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for material failures, yield drops, and quality excursions, applying advanced problem-solving tools and leading multi-functional and supplier teams.
- Develop manufacturing methods and information systems that achieve unparalleled quality targets for brittle components while enabling scalable, high-yield production.
- Establish and implement audit procedures to ensure consistent adherence to quality standards at supplier facilities.
- Evaluate, communicate, and improve production yields for new and existing processes involving brittle materials.
- Work closely with internal and external groups to define quality expectations and implement appropriate assurance techniques throughout the supply chain.

Preferred Qualifications
Proven hands-on experience in a quality or manufacturing engineering role within a high-volume, precision manufacturing environment.
Experience in the processing, finishing, or quality control of brittle materials in an industrial or advanced research setting.
Experience with optical metrology and inspecting transparent/translucent components for optical clarity and sensor performance.
Project management experience with a solid understanding of advanced problem-solving frameworks and methodologies (e.g., Design of Experiments, Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, Statistical Process Control).
Knowledge of quality/reliability concepts, supplier management, and manufacturing operations.
Experience with mechanical enclosures, injection molding, tooling, jigs, fixtures, or automotive high-volume manufacturing is a plus.
An MBA or management certification.

Minimum Qualifications
GD&T Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T/ASME Y14.5) principles. Ability to interpret complex 2D/3D engineering drawings and define robust dimensional metrology and inspection strategies for complex geometries.
Advanced Materials Characterization & Diagnostics: Hands-on experience with Failure Analysis (FA) and characterization tools including FTIR, SEM, and TEM. Ability to interpret data to diagnose material failures and systematically isolate root causes.
Data Science Proficiency: Strong skills in applying statistical analysis, data modeling, and computational methods to materials problems. Ability to use data to predict behavior and optimize processes.
Communication: Fluent English speaker with outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to diverse audiences.
Personal Skills: Excellent initiative, relentless and structured problem-solving prowess in a research or project setting, and the ability to lead and influence.
Deep Theoretical & Practical Knowledge: Expertise in the structure-property-processing relationships of brittle materials (e.g., ceramics, glasses, inter-metallics, certain composites).
Optical Background: Strong understanding of the optical properties of materials, optical sensing, and light transmission, specifically as they relate to advanced geometric designs and sensor integrations.
Education: Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Ceramics Engineering, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Geology (with materials focus), or a closely related field.

About Apple

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Size: 10,000+ employees
Industry: Technology: Manufacturing

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