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Lab Manager
AppleCupertino, California, United States$183,700 - $319,8003+ years
Apply Our team designs, builds, and tests next-generation hardware and technologies that power Apple products used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. We're looking for a Lab Manager to help us maintain a world-class engineering lab environment where our teams can innovate quickly, safely, and reliably.
As Lab Manager, you'll wear two hats: you'll lead and develop a team of lab technicians/coordinators while also rolling up your sleeves as an individual contributor — running experiments, operating equipment, and directly supporting engineering programs. This is a hybrid player-coach role for someone who wants both people leadership and hands-on technical ownership. You'll ensure the lab runs safely and efficiently while also being a technical resource engineers can rely on day-to-day.
- Hire, manage, mentor, and develop a small team of lab technicians/coordinators
- Set priorities, assign work, and review team output to ensure quality and consistency
- Conduct performance reviews, career development conversations, and skills growth planning for direct reports
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the lab team
- Personally operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment in support of engineering test plans and experiments
- Execute test protocols, collect and analyze data, and contribute directly to engineering programs alongside the technicians you manage
- Serve as a technical escalation point for complex equipment issues or non-standard test setups
- Design and build new test fixtures, setups, or lab processes as needed for emerging program requirements
- Manage daily lab operations, including equipment inventory, maintenance schedules, calibration, and repair coordination
- Oversee procurement, vendor relationships, and budget tracking for lab equipment, consumables, and services
- Develop and enforce lab safety protocols in compliance with EHS (Environmental Health & Safety) standards and Apple policies
- Partner with engineering teams to plan lab layouts, allocate space/resources, and support new equipment installations
- Maintain accurate records for asset tracking, equipment certifications, and regulatory documentation
- Manage access control, security protocols, and confidentiality requirements for sensitive prototype hardware
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase lab efficiency, uptime, and throughput
- Coordinate cross-functional logistics between engineering, facilities, EHS, and supply chain teams
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
- 3+ years of hands-on experience working in a technical/engineering lab environment, including direct execution of tests and equipment operation
- 1+ years of experience leading, mentoring, or managing a team (direct reports, project team, or informal lead role)
- Strong understanding of lab safety standards, hazardous materials handling, and regulatory compliance
- Experience with equipment maintenance, calibration procedures, and asset management systems
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance individual technical work with team management responsibilities
- Ability to lift and move lab equipment as needed
- Willingness to work on-site 5 days a week; some roles may require flexibility for early/late hours around equipment deliveries, test schedules, or urgent repairs
- Experience in a hardware development or R&D environment (consumer electronics preferred)
- Demonstrated ability to switch fluidly between hands-on technical work and people leadership in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA) and chemical/electrical safety protocols
- Experience with inventory/asset management software and procurement systems
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work cross-functionally with engineers, technicians, and vendors
- Project management experience or certification (PMP, Six Sigma, etc.)
- Experience supporting confidential or prototype-stage hardware programs