PCB Materials Lab Manager

Here at Apple, the development and integration of revolutionary materials into our products is essential to the performance, reliability, and quality our customers have come to expect. These materials are a critical aspect of what makes Apple products the best in the world!

Our PD Materials Engineering team is dedicated to creating and refining these materials. We partner with product designers across the company, working with the utmost attention to detail to directly impact the design of products that millions of people around the world love. Sitting within Materials PD, our PCB Materials team is pushing the boundaries of performance in exciting new areas.

At the heart of that work is our San Diego materials lab, the experimental engine that turns tough materials questions into trusted answers. We're looking for a PCB Materials Lab Manager to lead the team and capabilities behind it - someone who sets the standard for quality, anticipates where our engineering needs are heading, and keeps the lab responsive, relevant, and always a step ahead. Could this be you?

Description

As the PCB Materials Lab Manager, you'll provide daily oversight to a team of characterization engineers (a third-party managed service), steering priorities to keep the lab responsive and delivering results in a timely, dependable manner. You'll serve as the primary point of contact between the lab and our broader Materials Engineering team - evaluating incoming requests, re-scoping or clarifying when needed, and earning the trust of partners through faithful, high-quality, on-time execution. The role is a blend of hands-on technical leadership and broader relationship management, and demands strong leadership, clear communication, and sound independent judgment.

The lab supports a wide range of thermo-mechanical and electrical characterization. On the thermo-mechanical side, this includes TMA, TGA, DMA, DSC, tensile testing, impact testing, surface morphology, and cross-section imaging. On the electrical and RF side, the lab characterizes the dielectric and high-frequency behavior of PCB materials and structures, from dielectric properties (Dk/Df) of low-loss materials to network analysis, RF probing of PCBs and Flexes, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. You won't need to be a master of every technique, but you'll be broadly familiar with most and a quick study on the rest - credible enough to be hands-on across many methods and to be an effective advocate when evaluating and acquiring new equipment.

Responsibilities:

Supervise lab staff and provide daily/weekly oversight, dynamically juggling priorities to maximize impact in a fast-moving environment.

Uphold high standards for data quality, thoroughness, and presentation, and set the bar for the team's work.

Serve as the primary interface between the lab and Materials Engineering and key cross-functional partners, connecting the dots to position the lab for success.

Develop staffing, equipment, and facility roadmaps that keep the lab aligned with the team's long-term goals; identify and adopt new tools and techniques to enhance capabilities.

Own lab safety and compliance, partnering with EH&S, Facilities, and others to keep the facility functional and safe.

Manage procedural execution, including approving time cards and procuring equipment and consumables.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's or PhD in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field

Knowledge of PCB or electronics materials (dielectrics, reinforcements, conductors)

Experience evaluating, specifying, and acquiring lab equipment, and working with outside equipment suppliers

Excellent communication skills and a track record of mentoring and developing engineers

Experience leading lab operations, including safety/compliance, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience

Experience in a hands-on materials characterization or testing lab

Hands-on experience with thermomechanical materials testing (e.g., TMA, TGA, DMA, DSC, tensile, impact) OR Familiarity with electrical and RF material characterization, such as dielectric (Dk/Df) measurement, probing, network analysis, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

Demonstrated leadership and the ability to operate independently with sound judgment

Pay & Benefits

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $142,300 and $263,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.