Physical Vapor Deposition SME

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The Apple PVD Subject Matter Expert (SME) is accountable for driving the research, development, and mass-production implementation of next-generation Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating technologies across Apple’s worldwide supply base. In this highly visible, hands-on role as an expert technical member of the Manufacturing Design Team, you will collaborate closely with Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners, and premier equipment and process manufacturing partners to define, refine, and deliver industry-leading coatings on both metal and brittle substrates.

In this high-visibility role, you will investigate and develop solutions to overcome ambitious technical tasks that require non-standard manufacturing approaches. As a PVD SME, you will lead the advancement of PVD coating technology through process development, plasma and deposition simulation, fixturing optimization, and advanced thin-film material analysis. You will be directly involved in creating Apple products from initial concept through ramp into high-volume mass production.

The PVD SME is responsible for planning, implementing, analyzing, and optimizing high-volume PVD processes to meet rigorous cosmetic, color, and functional reliability requirements on complex 3D surfaces.

Key Responsibilities:
• Drive Process & Technology Development: Develop and implement PVD coating processes that achieve challenging cosmetic and functional requirements on both metal and glass/brittle substrates.
• Leverage Simulation & Modeling: Develop, validate, and maintain advanced process and plasma simulation models (e.g. COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent) to elucidate relationships between PVD process parameters, chamber/fixturing dynamics, and resulting coating properties.
• 3D Surface Optimization: Utilize validated simulation models to predict and optimize PVD coating properties—including thickness distribution, uniformity, color, and cosmetics—on complex 3D components and fixturing.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner directly with Apple Industrial Design (ID) and Product Design (PD) teams to translate design intent and aesthetic visions into robust engineering specifications and manufacturing process windows.
• Vendor & Supply Base Leadership: Collaborate directly with premier equipment makers and overseas manufacturers; design and execute development trials, evaluate supplier capabilities, and address production gaps by implementing advanced process controls.
• Process Capability & Validation: Plan and execute comprehensive development trials and DOE studies to confirm process feasibility, optimize process inputs, and ensure process repeatability for high-volume manufacturing programs.
• Executive Presentation & Data Analysis: Conduct in-depth data analysis and present technical recommendations, risk assessments, and process analyses to key decision-makers to enable critical design, cosmetic, and commercial commitments.
• Program & Project Management: Manage multiple concurrent technical development projects across vendors, cross-functional teams, and internal resources to meet aggressive product development schedules.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (BS) or equivalent in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Proficiency in programming and numerical simulation tools (e.g., Python, COMSOL, ANSYS Fluent, MATLAB, or similar) applied to plasma physics, gas dynamics, or deposition modeling.
Strong background in materials science, thin film deposition techniques, vacuum technology, and surface science.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with external manufacturing vendors, equipment builders, or tier-1 suppliers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to accurately convey complex technical details to multi-disciplinary teams and leadership.
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and overseas (20%+).

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s or Ph.D. degree with a focus on Materials Science, Physics, Thin Film Deposition, Plasma Physics, or Surface Engineering.
3+ years of hands-on experience in thin-film coating development (specifically PVD / sputtering / cathodic arc) or high-volume coating manufacturing environments.
Expertise in thin-film characterization methods (e.g., XPS, SEM, TEM, XRD, spectrophotometry, ellipsometry) to evaluate microstructure, composition, optical properties, and mechanical performance.
Experience in coating equipment hardware design, cathode/source optimization, and custom PVD fixturing design for complex 3D parts.
Experience establishing and validating PVD processes on highly cosmetic consumer electronics devices meeting tight cosmetic, color, and environmental reliability standards.
Familiarity with big data analytics, statistical process control (SPC), machine learning, or automated defect analysis in a production environment.
Superior color discrimination ability and deep experience with cosmetic surface finishing.
Proven ability to lead a development program from early-stage research into high-volume manufacturing execution within a fast-paced matrix organization.
Excellent problem-solving skills with a focus on root-cause analysis and corrective actions.