Mac Reliability Engineer

Job Title

Mac Reliability Engineer

Role Summary

Work on Apple's Mac Reliability Engineering team to lead board-level reliability validation for new Mac portables. The role develops and executes test procedures, performs failure analysis, provides risk assessments, and partners with hardware and silicon packaging teams to improve product robustness.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The posting specifies an MS plus 2+ years relevant engineering experience or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on designing and running reliability tests, analyzing results, and communicating findings to engineering teams.

• Prepare concise, detailed test plans and test reports.
• Develop and execute board-level reliability test procedures (mechanical stress, shock/drop/vibration, environmental testing).
• Perform statistical data analysis and risk assessments using life-data analysis and curve fitting.
• Research technologies to identify potential failure modes and perform failure analysis.
• Provide design input and DFM guidance to improve product reliability and component selection.
• Prioritize tasks to meet schedules and communicate results across cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience are listed first; preferred skills follow.

• Must-have: Experience performing board-level reliability testing including mechanical stress tests, shock/drop/vibration testing, and environmental testing.
• Must-have: Practical failure-analysis methodology to determine root causes; familiarity with failure modes and statistical life-data analysis (curve fitting, distribution models).
• Must-have: Knowledge of board-level design, design-for-manufacturing (DFM), and reliability best practices to guide early architecture decisions.
• Must-have: Understanding of semiconductor package integration, second-level interconnect (SLI) reliability, passive component reliability, bonding materials, and warpage control.
• Must-have: Ability to apply FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) methodologies.

• Nice-to-have / Preferred: Application of DOE (Design of Experiments).
• Nice-to-have / Preferred: Failure analysis techniques such as optical microscopy, X-ray, CSAM, SEM/EDS, FTIR, XPS.
• Nice-to-have / Preferred: Knowledge of industry test standards (JEDEC, ASTM, IEEE).
• Nice-to-have / Preferred: Strong written and verbal communication, problem solving, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Nice-to-have / Preferred: Ability to travel internationally without restrictions.

Education Requirements

MS in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field is specified; the posting also allows equivalent practical experience. The listing specifies 2+ years of relevant engineering experience in addition to the degree requirement.

About the Company

Company: Apple

Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States

Apple is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, software, and online services. Known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, Mac computers, and iPad, Apple emphasizes a strong commitment to high-quality design and user experience.