Tribologist

Summary

Apple's Product Design Materials Engineering team designs and specifies materials used in every Apple product, from metals, glass, and ceramics to composites, polymers, adhesives, and coatings. Every surface that moves, slides, or touches shapes how an Apple product feels and performs, and we're growing our team with a dedicated tribology expert to help define how we design, test, and qualify materials for these interfaces. We are looking for a senior tribologist to be our team's expert on friction, wear, and lubrication. You will work in our Materials Development Center in Santa Clara, CA. There you'll combine a strong theoretical foundation with practical experimental judgment to shape how Apple designs and qualifies materials for moving interfaces, and to help keep those interfaces working well for customers over years of use.

Minimum Qualifications

Masters or PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with research focused on tribology or surface science 5+ years of industry experience applying tribology to product development, ideally for mechanical components or consumer hardware Deep expertise in tribology fundamentals, including contact mechanics, friction, and wear mechanisms in metals, ceramics, polymers, and coated surfaces, with the ability to identify wear mechanisms from worn surfaces and failure analysis results Proven ability to design and interpret coupon-level tribology tests, link the results to component and field performance, and use them to drive material and coating selection

Preferred Qualifications

Expertise in surface engineering and coatings for wear-critical interfaces, such as PVD/CVD and DLC coatings, nitriding, anodizing, and other surface treatments, including their effect on scratch and cosmetic wear Strong knowledge of lubrication, including boundary lubrication, damping greases, solid lubricants, and how lubricants interact with nearby materials Experience with polymer and elastomer tribology, including self-lubricating polymers, bushings, and seals Experience working with simulation or modeling teams to turn contact mechanics and wear theory into predictive models Understanding of tribocorrosion and environmental effects on wear, such as humidity, temperature, and exposure to sweat, skin oils, and cosmetics Experience designing custom tribology test rigs, including test methods, data handling, and analysis, and building lab capability through equipment specification and internal test standards A record of mentoring technicians and engineers, communicating clearly with cross-functional partners, and contributing to the field through publications or professional societies such as STLE

Description

You will set the technical direction for tribology across Apple's product lines by identifying the friction and wear mechanisms that govern performance and defining test strategies (from coupon-level screening to component-level validation) that match real-world use. You will lead in-depth tribological characterization and failure analysis, working with the lab's broader characterization specialists to identify the wear mechanisms at work and determine root cause. You'll turn these learnings into actionable design choices: material, coating, and lubrication specifications, contact and geometry recommendations, and qualification criteria that product teams can apply with confidence. You will also expand and advance the lab's tribology capability and train and mentor technicians to run routine measurements.

Responsibilities

You will join a world-class materials engineering team with deep subject matter expertise across a wide range of materials. You'll bring the tribology perspective to their work and coordinate closely with them to engineer holistic solutions, where materials, surface treatments, lubricants, and geometry are designed to work together. You will also work closely with Product Design, Industrial Design, Reliability, and Manufacturing Design, explaining complex surface and wear behavior in terms that lead to clear engineering decisions. You will partner with our materials modeling team to develop predictive tools for friction and wear, and you'll bring in cutting-edge expertise from universities, research institutions, and industry to keep our approach at the forefront of the field.