Strategic Lead Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE), Materials Development And Decarbonization

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. The people here at Apple don't just create products they create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it.

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.

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

• 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
• Vendor coordination: Lead decarbonization discussions with raw material suppliers; align on carbon reduction timelines and feasibility

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.

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

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. Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant. At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You'll find that idea reflected in everything here in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong. Learn about accessibility in Apple's workplace. Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants. Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis. Submit Resume Back to search results See all roles in San Francisco Bay Area.