Engineering Program Manager - Packaging

Summary

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something. The Apple unboxing experience is iconic and sets the stage for the products our customers love. We are looking for a highly motivated Packaging EPM to lead the development of our world-class packaging, balancing structural integrity, premium aesthetics, and our industry-leading environmental and sustainability goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Previous experience in program management. Packaging/mechanical engineering delivering products comprised of multiple materials (e.g., rigid boxes, molded fiber, paperboard, plastics, adhesives) will be preferred Experience leading product development in highly dynamic and ambiguous work environments, supporting high-volume manufacturing and assembly. Excellent communication, teamwork, cross-functional engagement, and strong presentation skills. Ability to anticipate functional direction and roadblocks, prioritize parallel closure paths, effectively distill and communicate relevant data to the appropriate functional and leadership teams. Self-motivated and detail-oriented with demonstrated creative and critical thinking capabilities. Experience engaging with manufacturers on DFM, FAI/CPK, QC, and production timelines BS degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent; MS degree preferred

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years of experience related to engineering program management of electrical devices industry Wide knowledge of packaging development processes including detailed understanding of manufacturing processes (printing, die-cutting, forming, gluing) and tooling timelines. Shipped multiple full life-cycle programs with demonstrated experience in early architecture, development build NPI execution, and operational mass-production. Experience as primary point of contact with vendors and CM partners to establish a daily build plan, provide clear direction and guidance to meet the program and build objectives.

Description

The Packaging EPM is a hands-on programmatic role where you and your team will be responsible for delivering the packaging structures and assemblies through the entire program life cycle, from early design to mass production. It includes frequent multi- disciplinary collaboration with teams like Packaging Product Design, Industrial Design, Marketing, Environmental Technologies, Materials, and Operations. You will be responsible for driving the program through the entire development process, creating and maintaining streamlined schedules, driving cross-functional progress, managing packaging builds at factories, and presenting multiple levels of status updates to organizational leaders and executives.

Responsibilities

Drive the strategic execution of packaging design, ensuring alignment with overall project goals, unboxing experience standards, and sustainability targets. Lead the creation of and adherence to project schedules, ensuring key decision milestones are met across all phases. Go beyond holding teams accountable by actively guiding, anticipating roadblocks, and pushing cross-functional groups toward the most effective engineering paths. Manage budgets, track spending, and ensure financial prudence, proactively identifying appropriate scope drivers and their cost implications. Facilitate clear and consistent communication and alignment between internal teams and external partners, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals. Provide strong leadership and support during build phases, ensuring timely delivery. Build strategic partnerships focused on elevating vendor capabilities. Coach their teams on how to execute NPI builds to Apple’s exacting standards, drive their continuous operational progress, and help them establish robust, world-class manufacturing workflows. Oversee the release process, ensuring timely and accurate releases and holding teams accountable for meeting release deadlines.