Apple
Direct employer career site

Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead

Location
San Jose, CA · On-site
Job type
Full-time
Level
Director
Experience
7+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Listed
14 days ago

Skills & highlights for this role

  • Mechanical prototyping
  • Electro-mechanical assembly
  • CAD modeling
  • Technical drawing
  • Hands-on shop tool experience (3D printers, laser cutter, lathe, mill)
  • Prototype fabrication techniques
  • Materials knowledge (plastics, foams, textiles, metals, composites, ceramics)
  • Mechanical problem solving and troubleshooting
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Timeline prediction and deadline management

Also useful

  • Root cause failure analysis and corrective action
  • Inspection and analysis equipment (microscopes, load cells)
  • Mentoring or managing others
  • Unigraphics NX including surfacing tools
  • JMP statistical software
  • macOS
  • Designing mechanisms, actuated systems, and machines

Summary

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better.

It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something.

The Product Design Engineering group working on new and future product concepts is looking for a Senior Mechanical Prototyper who will be responsible for assisting in the design, fabrication, and assembly/disassembly, troubleshooting and repair of prototype parts and assemblies as well as managing and mentoring a small team of mechanical prototypers.

About the role

We are the hands-on technical team that carries the design of Apple Vision Products through the entire process, from early prototyping to mass production. By joining our team, you'll work side by side with your teammates inside Apple and at our partner facilities to define parts of a system in CAD, hand build physical electro-mechanical assemblies, and collaborate with vendors to produce parts and assemblies. You will support the fabrication, modification, and repair of prototype hardware that will indirectly and directly inform what we ship to customers.

  • Design and fabrication of functional electro-mechanical prototypes of various sizes, materials and levels of complexity
  • Execute detailed mechanical and electrical assembly operations, accurately record and communicate progress and challenges
  • Maintain prototypes & perform failure analysis on electro-mechanical systems
  • Work closely with a range of Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems engineers to support project development work
  • Perform a mix of independent and collaborative work

Minimum Qualifications

  • 7+ years of Mechanical Engineering related industry experience
  • 5+ years of relevant mechanical prototyping experience
  • Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Additional information

  • Hands-on experience with shop tools, prototype fabrication techniques and equipment (3D printers, laser cutter, lathe, mill, etc.)
  • Familiar with a wide range of materials (plastics, foams, textiles, metals, composites, ceramics), their properties, and methods of processing them
  • Ability to understand and to develop hand sketches, CAD models, and technical drawings
  • Strong mechanical problem solving and troubleshooting skills
  • Team player with excellent verbal and written communication
  • Ability to predict timelines and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience root causing failures and implementing corrective actions
  • Familiarity with inspection and analysis equipment (microscopes, load cells, etc.)
  • Experience mentoring or managing others
  • Fluent in Unigraphics NX including surfacing tools, statistical software (JMP), MacOS
  • Experience designing mechanisms, actuated systems, and machines
Read the original posting

From Apple's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 27, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

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Common questions

Where is the Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead job at Apple located?

This Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead position at Apple is located in San Jose, CA (On-site). Always check Apple's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

What qualifications are required for Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead at Apple?

For the Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead role, Apple highlights 7+ years of relevant experience; a bachelor's degree; experience with Mechanical prototyping, Electro-mechanical assembly, CAD modeling, Technical drawing, Hands-on shop tool experience (3D printers, laser cutter, lathe, mill), Prototype fabrication techniques. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.

How do I apply for the Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead position at Apple?

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