Materials Product Design Engineer

Materials Product Design Engineer

Cupertino, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: Sep 29, 2025

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Why Apple? At Apple we believe our products begin with our people. By hiring a diverse team, we drive creativity. By giving that team everything they need, we drive innovation. By hiring incredible engineers, we drive precision. And through our collaborative process we create memorable experiences for our customers. These elements come together to make Apple an amazing environment for motivated people to do the greatest work of their lives.

Why Softgoods? The Apple Softgoods Engineering team works with textiles, non-wovens, polyurethanes, silicone and other soft polymers. Our mission is to use these incredible materials to enable new product categories, and to enhance Apple’s existing product lines. Bringing Apple engineering and precision to products made of soft materials is an exciting challenge and requires a creative and open minded approach. We have a talented team of people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We all work together in a customized lab where we design, engineer and develop the best Softgoods products in the world.

Description

Be at the forefront of softgoods innovation! We are seeking a talented materials product design engineer to lead the development of high-performance polymeric materials with a focus on advanced cosmetic and functional coatings.

If you are passionate about creating aesthetically stunning and highly functional softgoods that amaze and delight our customers, this is your opportunity.

Responsibilities

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  Partnering with our material suppliers, develop new coating technologies to meet Apple’s product roadmap needs.

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  Provide technical leadership from concept to product launch, demonstrate the ability to deep dive into technical issues, identify technical risks, and develop innovative materials solutions.

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  Serve as internal coating subject matter expert by leveraging thorough understanding of properties of coating materials, application processes, and performance characterization and prediction methods

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  Work with industrial design, product design, reliability, and manufacturing teams to create specifications for softgoods materials.

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Minimum Qualifications

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  MS in Material Science & Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in Materials or related field

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  3+ years of industry experience focusing on applied R&D for soft materials

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  Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present technical concepts to a multi-disciplinary team

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  In-depth knowledge of material science concepts, polymer synthesis, structure-property relationships, characterization of material performance for structural and cosmetic applications

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Preferred Qualifications

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  PhD in degrees listed above

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  Experience in coating chemistry and application processes

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  Experience working with contract manufacturers and material vendors

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  Statistical analysis knowledge (e.g. Design of experiment)

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  In-depth understanding of analytical techniques (e.g. SEM, FTIR, GCMS, DMA, TGA, TMA, DSC,…)

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  Conversational in Mandarin

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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 $147,400 and $272,100, 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.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant ( .

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant ( .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program ( .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.