Apple Recruits a 3D Printing Expert in Shenzhen — Requires Over Two Years of Metal Additive Manufacturing Experience

Panda3dp.com’s Introduction:In September, Apple announced a position for an Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Design Engineer with an annual salary exceeding one million yuan. Unfortunately, that role was based in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA — far from the reach of most domestic 3D printing professionals.

On November 2, 2025, Panda3dp.com learned that Apple has now opened a new position in Shenzhen, recruiting an expert in additive manufacturing (3D printing), primarily focused on operations and supply chain management. Although the salary range has not been disclosed, it is believed to be highly competitive. The position requires over two years of experience in metal additive manufacturing and at least 25% international travel, collaborating with Apple’s global supply chain managers and suppliers.

Judging by the job description, this position closely mirrors Apple’s earlier opening in the United States — raising speculation that Apple may have shifted its search to China after failing to find the right candidate abroad.

Job Overview

Imagine what you could accomplish here.
At Apple, fresh ideas quickly evolve into extraordinary products, services, and experiences. With passion and dedication, your achievements can be limitless.

Apple employees don’t merely create products — they create miracles, redefining industries through revolutionary change. It is the diversity of our teams and their boundless imagination that fuel innovation across everything we do — from cutting-edge technology to industry-leading environmental initiatives. Join Apple, and together we can make the world a better place.

Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE)

The MDE plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing high-precision mechanical manufacturing processes across Apple’s global supply chain. This highly visible, hands-on position involves close and frequent collaboration with Apple’s Industrial Design, Product Design, and Manufacturing Design teams, as well as with suppliers worldwide. Empowered with significant autonomy, you are expected to bring creativity to Apple’s manufacturing methods — helping deliver the company’s most exceptional innovations to users everywhere.

△ iPhone Air components featuring 3D-printed titanium alloy parts

Key Responsibilities

As an MDE, you will lead the formulation, assessment, and execution of end-to-end manufacturing solutions for Apple products, ensuring alignment with objectives in quality, cost, yield, capacity, schedule, and environmental standards.

· Evaluate product and design goals to define key priorities in dimensional accuracy, appearance, and functionality.

· Collaborate with global supply chain managers and Apple’s vendors to develop manufacturing strategies, set targets, and define schedules.

· Identify and validate manufacturing equipment and processes that meet Apple’s stringent design and operational standards.

· Document process details — including parameters, consumables, and secondary operations — ensuring compliance with established requirements.

· Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies to optimize processes and resolve complex engineering challenges through data-driven insights.

· Communicate process development progress to cross-functional teams, facilitating alignment between design intent and manufacturing capability.

· Provide on-site support during development and ramp-up phases across global production sites; conduct root-cause analysis and drive timely corrective actions.

Core Focus Areas

· Collaborate with internal teams and equipment vendors to develop and refine metal additive manufacturing processes and systems.

· Optimize additive manufacturing workflows to meet Apple’s requirements for aesthetics, precision, reliability, and production efficiency.

· Establish modeling and characterization methods for key performance indicators in metal 3D printing.

· Apply knowledge of 3D printing systems and powder metallurgy to assist product design teams in developing alloys tailored for additive manufacturing.

· Provide expert-level support to project teams employing metal additive manufacturing, guiding concepts through to mass production.

· Develop industry-leading certification plans and procedures for additive manufacturing equipment and materials, in line with DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ standards.

Minimum Qualifications

· Over 2 years of hands-on experience in metal additive manufacturing.

· Strong proficiency in written and spoken English, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and persuasively.

· Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

· Direct experience with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) process development, including the use of material characterization tools to support DOE-based experiments.

· Familiarity with secondary processes such as powder handling and recycling, automation, heat treatment, and stress-relief methods.

· Practical engineering problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach.

· Strong sense of responsibility, perseverance, and initiative; able to innovate under challenging circumstances.

· Competence in project management tools for effective planning and progress tracking; capable of working independently with precision and reliability.

· Workshop experience (professional or hobbyist) is a plus.

· Experience with high-finish components or appearance-critical parts preferred.

· Willingness to travel internationally (25%+), including to China, Vietnam, Germany, India, and the United States.

Those interested in this position may apply via Apple’s official careers page:
 Additive Manufacturing Subject Matter Expert – Jobs – Careers at Apple