Strategic Lead Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE), Materials Development and Decarbonization
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The Strategic Lead, Materials Development & Decarbonization partners with Product Design and Manufacturing Design teams to embed environmental and manufacturability considerations into material selection decisions at the earliest product development stages. In this strategic hands-on role, you will have direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Product Design Materials, Environmental teams, and global raw material vendors. This role is empowered and expected to influence critical material decisions upstream, translating complex vendor capabilities and decarbonization timelines into clear business and technical trade-offs for leadership.
Description
You will lead the development and implementation of material selection strategy and decarbonization roadmaps across Apple's primary materials (alloys and polymers) used as the building blocks of Apple's products. You will collaborate closely with colleagues in Product Design Materials, Global Supply Management, Industrial Design, Quality Engineering, and the Environmental team to ensure material decisions meet product quality, manufacturability, cost, yield, capacity, schedule, and decarbonization goals.
","responsibilities":"You will be expected to:
Embed with Product Design Materials teams to understand 2-3 year material roadmaps; provide manufacturing and decarbonization perspective to influence material selection decisions upstream before requirements lock-in
Own comprehensive decarbonization roadmap for alloys; identify pathways to lower-carbon alternatives; manage vendor feasibility, timeline complexity, and cost trade-offs across US and global production
Map carbon reduction pathways across top polymer families; identify material swap opportunities and align on supplier capabilities and timelines
Build business cases for decarbonization initiatives; quantify carbon impact, cost implications, schedule feasibility, and manufacturing trade-offs
Coordinate weekly with embedded Alloys and Polymers Specialists (Cupertino and APO sites) on vendor timelines, feasibility assessments, and execution priorities
Maintain regular strategic alignment with Product Design, Environmental team, Global Supply Management, and Line of Business teams on feasibility, timelines, and cost implications of decarbonization choices
Escalate schedule or feasibility conflicts to Department Lead; provide recommendations on trade-offs between environmental goals and product requirements
Support vendor negotiations and feasibility discussions on decarbonization commitments; co-own decarbonization conversations with Global Supply Management
You may be asked to lead development in one or more of the following areas:
Early material influence: Partner with PD Materials to influence material selection for all new products, ensuring decarbonization and manufacturability are considered from inception
Alloys decarbonization roadmap: Develop vendor feasibility roadmaps and carbon reduction pathways for aluminum electrification initiatives
Polymer decarbonization strategy: Map carbon reduction pathways and supplier strategies across material families; identify material swap opportunities
Cross-material carbon prioritization: Identify and prioritize decarbonization opportunities across all primary materials; build business cases for initiatives
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Vendor coordination: Lead decarbonization discussions with raw material suppliers; align on carbon reduction timelines and feasibility
Preferred Qualifications
Experience translating environmental and sustainability goals into technical roadmaps and vendor negotiations
Strong cross-functional leadership without direct authority; ability to influence through technical credibility and relationship building
Demonstrated project and program management at enterprise scale
Communicates technical and business information clearly and persuasively in both written and verbal forms, adapting content to suit the intended audience
Employs project management tools to effectively plan and track work to completion; diligent and reliable in executing tasks independently
Experience in decarbonization, lifecycle assessment (LCA), or sustainable material development preferred
Experience working with highly cosmetic parts or products is preferred
Minimum Qualifications
5+ years of experience in materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, supply chain strategy, or similar roles with demonstrated influence on cross-functional decisions
Deep knowledge of primary metals (aluminum, stainless steel, Titanium) or polymer processing, material characterization, and supply chain dynamics
BS or higher in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with materials emphasis, Environmental Science, or related fields preferred. MBA or equivalent experience in strategy and program management preferred.","internalDetails":null
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 $187,300 and $281,900, 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.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
Parental Benefits
Work Flexibility
Office Life and Perks
Vacation and Time Off
Financial and Retirement
Professional Development
Diversity and Inclusion
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