Materials Engineer, Failure Analyst - NMR Specialist

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced NMR Specialist to provide advanced NMR-based characterization of organic, polymeric and other novel materials. In this role, you will be a key technical contributor, applying your deep expertise in NMR spectroscopy to solve complex material challenges and support the development of current and next-generation hardware products. You will be responsible for executing advanced NMR experiments, maintaining sophisticated instrumentation, developing and optimizing methodologies, and interpreting spectroscopic data to provide critical insights for cross-functional engineering and scientific teams.

This role demands a candidate with deep technical expertise in NMR theory and application, strong problem-solving abilities, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality scientific results in a dynamic Material and Failure Analysis environment.

At Apple, our Product Investigations and Failure Analysis team is all about pushing boundaries, and as an NMR Specialist and Failure Analyst, you'll be right at the forefront. Your deep expertise in NMR spectroscopy won't just characterize materials; it will be key to help in unraveling complex material issues, pinpointing root causes, and proactively preventing future occurrences that could impact our users.

This role thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you'll expertly balance urgent failure investigations with the strategic development of cutting‑edge NMR methodologies. Your contributions will directly influence design decisions, optimize manufacturing processes, and ultimately contribute to the quality millions of users expect from Apple products. We're looking for someone with not only exceptional technical proficiency in advanced NMR but also an incisive analytical mind, relentless problem‑solving skills, and the ability to translate sophisticated scientific data into clear, actionable recommendations for diverse engineering and design teams.

If you're a collaborative team player driven by innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence, you'll find your home here.

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced NMR instrumentation (e.g., 500 MHz, solid‑state, solution‑state systems), ensuring optimal performance, calibration, and uptime. Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new NMR technologies and capabilities. Ensure rigorous adherence to safety procedures and maintain an organized and efficient laboratory workspace.
• Develop and optimize advanced sample preparation protocols for challenging polymeric and other organic materials, and sol‑gels, including complex matrices, trace analysis, and specialized in‑situ experiments.
• Conduct failure analysis investigations, developing clear problem statements, formulating testable hypotheses, and designing comprehensive experimental plans to identify root causes and provide actionable solutions.
• Actively manage and shepherd failure analysis projects, maintaining continuous communication with project requesters and the internal analysis team. Provide timely updates and critical information to ensure project progression, and deliver insightful, actionable reports that drive solutions.
• Maintain a balance between urgent FA queue support and long‑range NMR method development.
• Design, execute, and interpret sophisticated 1D and 2D NMR experiments (e.g., solid‑state NMR, diffusion, relaxation, variable temperature) to address complex structural, dynamic, and quantitative material challenges.
• Provide expert analysis and interpretation of NMR data, translating complex spectroscopic information into clear, actionable insights and comprehensive reports for diverse technical audiences.
• Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams (e.g., R&D, Design, Manufacturing, Failure Analysis, Reliability) to understand characterization needs, develop experimental strategies, and deliver critical insights for root cause analysis, material selection, and process optimization.
• Contribute to NMR‑related projects, including defining experimental approaches, executing tasks, and communicating…