Tooling Engineer Intern

Summary

At Apple, we believe extraordinary products start with extraordinary design and manufacturing innovation. The iPhone Tooling Engineering team operates at the intersection of mechanical product design, precision tooling architecture, and advanced manufacturing processes. We turn ambitious industrial design concepts into millions of flawless parts, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in tooling technology, materials processing, and dimensional precision. As a Tooling Engineering Intern on the iPhone team, you will collaborate with seasoned tooling engineers, product designers, and cross-functional operations teams. You will dive into real-world engineering challenges—ranging from high-precision mold design analysis and simulation to advanced manufacturing trials and root-cause troubleshooting. This internship is designed to give you hands-on exposure to world-class manufacturing engineering while helping you build a solid foundation for your engineering career.

Minimum Qualifications

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Tooling & Mold Design, or a related engineering field. Experience using 3D CAD modeling software (such as NX, Creo, SolidWorks, or CATIA) to create, modify, and interpret mechanical components and engineering drawings. Experience applying fundamental engineering principles, such as statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and strength of materials. Proficiency in written and spoken English with strong technical communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with plastic injection tooling design, stamping dies, or precision machining fixtures. Exposure to injection molding flow simulation tools (e.g., Autodesk Moldflow, Moldex3D) or structural/thermal FEA tools. Familiarity with polymer materials, metal forming, or precision manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC, EDM, wire EDM, grinding). Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles and basic metrology/measurement systems. Experience using data analysis or scripting tools (such as Python, MATLAB, JMP, or Excel) to analyze experimental data. Demonstrated curiosity, structured problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team environment.

Description

In this role, you will assist the tooling team in evaluating tooling designs, running engineering simulations, and analyzing manufacturing trial data for iPhone components. You will gain comprehensive exposure to precision mold structures, tooling fabrication methods, and scientific molding/forming processes while supporting cross-functional investigations on dimensional and cosmetic challenges.

Responsibilities

Support tooling engineers in reviewing 3D/2D tooling designs, identifying potential manufacturing challenges, and proposing design-for-manufacturing (DFM) optimizations. Conduct computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulations (such as Moldflow analysis) and compare simulation predictions against actual trial data to help calibrate process parameters and tooling designs. Collect, organize, and analyze metrology and inspection data (CMM, optical, CT scan) from engineering builds to identify dimensional and aesthetic trends. Participate in root-cause failure analyses and troubleshooting for tooling and molding/forming defects during prototype iterations. Prepare structured technical reports, trial summaries, and cross-functional presentations to clearly communicate engineering findings. Collaborate with cross-functional partners, including Product Design, Material Science, and Operations, to track tooling milestones and technical deliverables.