Product Design Lab Engineer

As a Product Design Lab Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end build-out, commissioning, and day-to-day operation of a new Product Design lab for Apple in Sunnyvale, CA. The role covers on-site prototyping work, dimensional inspection, equipment strategy, and operating the lab as a safe, calibrated, audit-ready environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the build-out, commissioning, and daily operation of a new Product Design lab, serving as an engineering partner who translates design concepts into an effective build path.
• Machine and fabricate urgent parts on-site, primarily using CNC and manual equipment, and perform dimensional inspection to qualify produced components.
• Route heavier fabrication and specialized characterization to internal shops, peer labs, and external vendors.
• Manage the complete lab request workflow, from intake through delivery, while maintaining safety, calibration, and audit readiness.
• Machine, fabricate, and assemble prototype parts on-site using CNC milling, manual machine tools, 3D printing, and other rapid-prototyping equipment, including programming, setup, fixturing, and tooling selection.
• Plan and shape the lab facility during construction, including layout, utilities, and equipment strategy; then specify, source, install, and commission the equipment required to bring the lab online.
• Own ongoing lab management and maintenance, including preventive maintenance, calibration schedules, tooling and consumables, spares, service contracts, and equipment upgrades.
• Partner with Product Design engineers on build strategy and iteration, translating concepts and requirements into practical, manufacturable build approaches.
• Scope build needs and coordinate routing of heavier work to internal shops, peer labs, or external vendors, managing relationships, quotes, and timelines.
• Perform routine dimensional inspection and measurement, determining when deeper metrology or material characterization should be handled by specialized resources.
• Own intake, prioritization, scheduling, and delivery of all lab requests, resolving what can be completed on-site and escalating only work requiring specialized teams.
• Maintain a safe, audit-ready lab environment, including environmental health and safety compliance, training, and documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on CNC machining experience, including setup, fixturing, tooling selection, and producing finished parts to drawing specifications.
• Experience owning the operation and upkeep of a prototyping, R&D engineering lab, or machine shop, including equipment maintenance, calibration, and safety.
• Hands-on experience across mechanical, electrical, and test work in a prototyping or R&D environment.
• Experience performing dimensional inspection and measurement, with ability to interpret drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Experience scoping and specifying machined parts and working with internal or external fabrication suppliers.
• Ability to work on-site in a lab environment, including lifting and moving up to 25 lbs and safely operating lab equipment, with occasional schedule flexibility around build and bring-up milestones.

Technologies

• CNC milling
• Manual machine tools
• 3D printing
• CNC mill
• Laser cutters

Compensation and Location

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (onsite)
Salary Range: USD 123,739 - 218,000 per year

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Range of discounted products and free services
• Reimbursement for certain educational expenses (including tuition) for formal education related to advancing your career
• Opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs
• Discretionary restricted stock unit awards eligibility
• Option to purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Discretionary bonuses or commission payments (as applicable)
• Relocation (as applicable)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing, standing up, expanding, or significantly reconfiguring a lab, cleanroom, or machine shop, including layout, utility and infrastructure requirements, equipment selection, installation, and commissioning.
• Experience operating and maintaining various types of 3D printers and laser cutters.
• Depth in CNC machining and CAM, including multi-axis work, difficult materials, tight-tolerance features, or process development for prototype parts.
• Complementary fabrication skills such as sheet metal, welding, or precision finishing.
• Track record of working as an embedded engineering partner, engaging with the underlying engineering problem rather than fulfilling work as written.
• Experience owning environmental health and safety compliance, calibration programs, or audit readiness for a technical space.
• Strong vendor and supplier management skills, including quoting, scheduling, and quality follow-through.
• Experience in metrology and GD&T.
• Self-directed, highly organized approach with the judgment to work independently as the sole on-site owner and escalate to a remote peer network when appropriate.