Job Details

? PVD Color Engineer | Alloy Engineering

Cupertino, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: Jun 30, 2025

Weekly Hours: 40

Role Number: 200611337

Here at Apple, the development and integration of revolutionary materials into our products is essential to the mechanical integrity, aesthetics, and overall comfort our customers have come to expect. These materials are a critical aspect of what makes Apple products the best electronic devices in the world! Our Materials Engineering Product Design team is dedicated to creating and optimizing these materials. We influence and enable innovative enclosure designs across all Apple product lines year after year. We work with the utmost attention to detail, directly impacting the design of products that millions of people around the world love. Sitting within Materials PD, our Alloy Engineering team devises novel approaches to integrating advanced metals into our products. We are looking for a PVD Color Engineer with a stellar background in thin film coatings to help take our future products to the next level. Could this be you?

Description

This position will be responsible for leading and driving our in-house PVD color development efforts across all product lines. The individual in this role will collaborate deeply with multiple engineering and design functions in order to deliver on Apple’s PVD color development priorities. The individual will be directly responsible for the design and engineering of novel thin film coating stacks to achieve our unique cosmetic and functional requirements, and will take charge of experimental design and execution to ensure results are delivered on time for project milestones. Key responsibilities include:

• Meeting with our industrial designers to understand their design priorities and artistic color goals
• Translating artistic design goals into concrete data-driven engineering objectives
• Designing and implementing efficient coating development experiments on our R&D PVD tools to achieve precise color matches, explore the surrounding color space, and optimize for product-oriented cosmetic, functional, and scalability requirements
• Leading color match reviews with the industrial design team to present results, gather feedback, and translate that feedback into further engineering actions
• Working in close collaboration with our broader PVD coating engineering team to align approaches, adapt priorities, and support scale up and troubleshooting as coating designs migrate into product development builds
• Maintaining a prioritized development plan, communicating with multi-functional partners, and adapting priorities based on feedback and input
• Enhancing and expanding our color development capabilities through various methodologies

Minimum Qualifications

• Hands-on experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining PVD tools

• Working knowledge in the fields of color science, optical properties, and color perception

• Demonstrates excellence in executive / leadership level communications, able to adapt language and content to match audience

• Experience leading cross-functional engineering efforts

• Able to quickly learn and adapt in a dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience designing and optimizing thin film coatings for cosmetic and/or functional applications

• Technical knowledge of pigments, dyes, resins, and other precursor materials

• Familiarity with color analysis and color modeling (reflectance curves, visual assessment of color)

• Experience working remotely with vendors

• Experience working on multiple products/coatings on di?erent development timelines

• Experience with thin film coating systems for glass and plastics

• Experience with high-quality cosmetic parts and finishes in high volume

• Track record of material selection and development for products with demanding performance requirements

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 $212,000 and $318,400, 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. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.