Data Collection & Exploratory Hardware Platforms EPM

Imagine what you could do at Apple. New ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Intelligent people, inspiring vision, innovative technologies are the norm. We have reinvented entire industries with our products, and apply the same energy to ensure we leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next ground-breaking Apple product! Apple is seeking an Engineering Program Manager (EPM) to join the Imaging and Sensing technology team to drive development of data collection and exploratory hardware platforms that influence product architecture decisions. This role commands a practical understanding of the phases of hardware development and how best to apply situational program management to organize, develop, and orchestrate a program plan — from concept through delivery. We are seeking a proactive and driven new member of our team of stellar EPMs — join us!

Description

This EPM role manages and drives hardware system development from concept to delivery of early technology development platforms, prototypes, and complex data collection systems to enable machine learning algorithm development and user experience exploration.

Lead a team of engineers (PD, EE, Optics, FW, Test/Cal) and other functional teams in carrying out new complex system development, vendor and CM operations, NPI in engineering and validation activities; as well as sustaining operations for these programs through their lifecycle.

Drive system definition and closure to architecture and technical opens, resource management; develop and publish milestones and timelines in the early stages of a project, then manage and mitigate them through project cycle.

Work cross-functionally to ensure necessary project support and prioritization; ensure tight inter-team coordination and communication to identify and plan for dependencies.

Coordinate design and fabrication reviews with multi-functional partners; develop, own, and present the end-to-end program schedule and cost estimates; identify and highlight non-technical risks.

Grasp complex technical topics and abstract key issues and risks into an actionable form for executive management; effectively and consistently communicate overall program status. Strong presentation and communication skills required.

Contract Manufacturer (CM) and Test Line Readiness: Work with CMs and internal teams at every build to ensure space and security requirements, material drive, and assembly fixture readiness; oversee test station qualification, assembly SOP readiness, and operator training; lead build readiness review.

Limited travel to CMs and key vendors, domestic and international.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a hardware engineering field (e.g., ME, EE, Optics/Photonics, Systems Engineering).

Minimum 4+ years of combined engineering and program management experience.

Bonus experiences: AR/VR, Cameras/Sensors, Machine Learning.

Preferred Qualifications

Exceptional program management skills: rigorous and proactive approach to timeline and schedule estimates, definition and management of project goals, orchestration of program plans, and tight inter-team communication and collaboration.
Technical literacy: builds on hardware engineering background to gain deep understanding of new technology fields, jump into technical conversations, and help the engineering team drive decisions across disciplines including ME, EE, FW, optics, cameras, sensors, and systems engineering.
Outstanding communication, information synthesis, organizational and leadership skills, both executive and cross-functional; ability to inspire team members.
Teamwork: fostering trust, open minded, fair, creating a sense of "we," intentional relationship building. Ability to effectively influence partners to drive tasks forward and implement project plan.
Growth mindset: continuous learning, growth and curiosity. Self-motivated to regularly seek and implement feedback.
Ownership: takes initiative and responsibility to lead a talented engineering team through its development process and hardware build.
Proactive positivity: Comprehends and deals well with rapid development cycles; remains flexible, positive, and calm in the face of uncertainty.
Experience working with vendors to develop and build PCBA, mechanical housings, high-level assemblies, and complex components (e.g., coax cables, FPGAs, and various surface mount electrical components); familiarity with fabrication techniques a plus.