Technical Program Manager, Optical Sensing

Here at Apple we don't just create products — we create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join the Product Technical Operations at Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it.

You will take the lead in driving technical, operational and quality issues related to camera components (substrates, VCM) from the earliest stages of NPI, engineering builds, ramp up and sustaining product lifecycles. You will work with camera module design and process teams to quickly resolve technical and operational issues and interface between sub-component vendors and downstream module integrators.

The scope covers all camera components (focus on VCM) used in all cameras and all systems.

Description
Create a vision for product quality and operational improvement year over year. Set ambitious improvement targets and drive plans to achieve. Be involved at product concept to ensure products are manufacturable and conduct design for manufacturability reviews. Build in constant design improvement for product quality, factory efficiency and product cost.

Approve vendor process, process flow and automation equipment design, ensure vendors are conforming to Apple ERS specs and requirements. Lead new process introduction and special projects, such as new testers. Deep dive into machine and process design for high precision manufacturing assembly. Innovate factory processes, concepts, and design to enable an ideal manufacturing process.

Collaborate with quality teams to review and approve quality control plans (tests, methods, sample sizes, pass/fail criteria). Ensure cosmetic standards are aligned with module integrator. Audit and approve manufacturers for mass production (MP) readiness. Contribute to release reviews and verify that all Technical, Operational and Quality aspects are ready to ramp.

Lead resolution of component related design or process issues in component fab, back-end processing, transit and module integrator. Monitor and report yield, manufacturing metrics (CpK, FMEA etc.). Drive improvement programs as appropriate. Drive FACA for component related returns from integrators, field returns, and EFFA issues. Track, report and close out issues in a timely manner.

Routine status reporting to executives and issue escalation when needed. Collaborate with Hardware engineering teams on optimizing component designs and processes. Interface with internal and external quality and reliability engineering teams. Drive overall program and factory readiness for the technology and mass production

Implement AI and Machine Learning techniques into factory processes to better streamline data collection and analysis. Continuous operation improvement with yearly Initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications
BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or allied technical subject
5+ years' proven experience in Manufacturing: Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Automation Engineering, or Program Management
Strong technical skills, involving problem solving and issue root causing in a pressured environment; In-depth understanding of assembly processes and development (dispense, precision pick & place, SMT, etc)
Ability to manage full product line from start to finish, NPI to mass production

Preferred Qualifications
Interpersonal skills of leadership, influence, project management, communication, teamwork, influencing and negotiation.
Strong working knowledge of automation design, process design & development, and large-scale manufacturing
Associated camera module components
Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis
Strong capability in data analysis. Ideally to have JMP and Tableau skill
Experience with implementing smart factory tools such as ML and AI into production systems
Ability to present to Executive teams under pressure
Flexible working during evening and weekends by taking compensation off later, and also can accommodate international travel up to 30%.

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