Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Surface Finishing

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As part of Manufacturing Design team, Subject Matter Expert (SME) is accountable for creating new highly cosmetic surface finishing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base. In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, and Manufacturing Design partners, as well as our worldwide suppliers.

The SME role is empowered to bring creativity to Apple’s manufacturing approach, enabling us to deliver our best colors and textures to as many customers as possible.

• Match, pilot and scale new cosmetic Anodized finishes for production.
• Utilize combined mechanical surface preparation to create textures (blasting, tumbling, polishing) and decorative anodizing finishing techniques to meet challenging new targets.
• Research new methods for creating new surface finishes and implementing tighter control of existing finishes.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes at early stages of product development to define critical process requirements and controls for tightest output.
• Plan and execute studies to confirm process capability to achieve excellent quality and high yields on high volume enclosures.
• Present analysis to key decision makers that will be used to make commercial, cosmetic and design commitments.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and address shortcomings relative to company needs.
• Drive on-site support in conjunction with USA counterparts for implementation of manufacturing processes at supplier locations.
• Build relationships with these counterparts and suppliers, and foster development of their capabilities and expertise.
• Maintain working knowledge of key process drivers and subject matter expertise in the technologies to serve as technical resource on project teams. Investigate and validate new surface finishing processes, techniques, and equipment where appropriate.

BS/MS in engineering (chemical engineering, chemistry or materials science) or equivalent record of industrial experience.

Minimum 1 years of developing new cosmetic anodizing finishings.

Experience utilizing combined mechanical finishing and anodizing process to meet ID desired texture and color targets.

Fluent English communication skills.

Must be able to develop anodizing process and equipment to meet both cosmetic and functional reliability requirements.

Ability to plan, execute, and present results from investigations using statistical analysis and clearly communicated results and recommendations.

Ability to drive root cause/corrective action activities.

Experience with other chemical metal surface treatments for corrosion protection including conversion coating.

Understanding of color theory and color, gloss and texture measurement techniques.

Have minimum average, preferably superior color discrimination ability.

Knowledge of cleaning and surfactants in pretreatment of aluminum (steel is a plus) for cosmetic finishes.

Experience working with an international supply chain.

Ability to define clear process controls and documentation for a robust process.

Frequent domestic and some overseas travel expected.