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Lapping Polishing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Process Engineer

Norwood, MA · Hybrid

$117K - $152K/yr

... lapping/polishing, laser trimming and testing, dicing and assembly. * Experience with plating on ceramic or plating of ceramic electronic components is a huge plus. Duties: * Review drawings and ...

Polisher

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Polishing precious metal pieces (silver, gold, platinum). * Using basic lapping techniques and hand tool. * Adhering to safety and quality standards and work instructions. Requirements * High School ...

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Lapping Polishing information

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$13

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$33

How much do lapping polishing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for lapping polishing in the United States is $20.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lapping operator?

A lapping operator is a skilled worker who performs lapping, a precision process that involves rubbing or pressing two surfaces together with an abrasive material to achieve a smooth, flat, and high-quality finish. They typically use specialized equipment and may require knowledge of materials, measurements, and safety procedures to ensure accurate results.

What are lapping and polishing jobs?

Lapping and polishing jobs involve using specialized machines and abrasive materials to smooth, flatten, or finish the surfaces of various materials, such as metals, glass, ceramics, or semiconductors. Workers in these roles operate equipment that removes microscopic amounts of material to achieve precise surface finishes and tight tolerances. These processes are commonly used in industries like manufacturing, electronics, optics, and aerospace to ensure high-quality, defect-free surfaces. Lapping and polishing technicians must have attention to detail and a good understanding of machinery and safety procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lapping Polishing Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lapping Polishing Technician, you need a solid understanding of material properties, precise hand-eye coordination, and experience with surface finishing techniques, often supported by vocational training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with lapping and polishing machines, measurement tools like micrometers and profilometers, and safety protocols is essential. Attention to detail, patience, and strong problem-solving abilities are vital soft skills for ensuring high-quality finishes and meeting tight tolerances. These skills ensure accurate, consistent results and help maintain product quality in manufacturing or laboratory environments.

What is the difference between Lapping Polishing vs Grinding Technician?

AspectLapping PolishingGrinding Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical training, certifications in precision finishingHigh school diploma, technical training, certifications in machining or grinding
Work EnvironmentClean, controlled environments focused on surface finishingIndustrial settings with heavy machinery and metalworking
Industry UsageManufacturing, aerospace, electronics, opticsManufacturing, metal fabrication, automotive

Both roles require technical skills and certifications, but Lapping Polishing focuses on achieving precise surface finishes in controlled environments, while Grinding Technicians handle material removal and shaping using heavy machinery. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right career path or service provider.

What is a lapping technician?

A lapping technician is a skilled worker who performs precision surface finishing by using abrasive tools and compounds to achieve flat, smooth surfaces on metal, glass, or semiconductor components. They operate specialized equipment, follow strict quality standards, and often require knowledge of materials and measurement tools like micrometers or surface profilometers.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can reach $2000 a day often include specialized roles such as senior engineers, surgeons, corporate executives, or consultants with extensive experience. These positions typically require advanced skills, certifications, or significant industry expertise, and may involve long hours or high responsibility levels.

What is the process of lapping polishing?

Lapping polishing is a precision process used to achieve a smooth, flat surface on materials by rubbing them against a lapping plate with abrasive slurry. The process involves using specialized equipment, such as lapping machines, and requires careful control of pressure, abrasive type, and polishing time to ensure high-quality surface finishes.

What are some common challenges faced by lapping and polishing technicians, and how can they be overcome?

Lapping and polishing technicians often face challenges such as maintaining precision tolerances, managing equipment wear, and ensuring consistent surface finishes. To overcome these, technicians should regularly calibrate and maintain their machines, use appropriate abrasives for each material, and closely monitor process parameters. Working closely with quality control teams and participating in continuous training can also help address these challenges and ensure product quality.
More about Lapping Polishing jobs
What job categories do people searching Lapping Polishing jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lapping Polishing jobs are:
Infographic showing various Lapping Polishing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,101 per year, or $20.2 per hour.
Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) - iPhone

Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) - iPhone

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish...The people here at Apple don't just build products - they craft the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it...The Apple iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer (MDE) is accountable for driving the development of key mechanical manufacturing processes across Apple's worldwide supply base. In this highly visible, hands-on role as the expert technical member of the Manufacturing Design Team you will have direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners and worldwide suppliers.
Apple MDE's are extraordinary engineers that provide end to end manufacturing and process solutions for key design features. This includes manufacturing process development and capability (includes incorporating all aspects of equipment, consumables, key parameters, process setup, and qualification), selection and/or design of manufacturing equipment, automation, and strategic R&D. -Define best-in-class processes to meet all Apple design and operational requirements-Develop and document processes including all parameters, consumables and secondary operation requirements to meet defined specifications -Work with Global Supply Managers to define and establish supply chain requirements utilizing selected equipment and manufacturing suppliers -Provide leadership at manufacturing sites during development and product production ramp, and drive engineering issues to resolution -Use data to drive process decisions, basic data analysis, DOEs, SPC, etc. Identify, research, develop, and qualify premier equipment manufacturers and suppliers-Define part tolerance and specifications by demonstrating process capability to Product Designers and Industrial Designers -Lead process development/have expertise in one of the process development areas listed below: CNC machining - Develop all CNC milling and turning processes. Scope appropriate CNC equipment to be used, develop CNC fixtures, implement touch probing, lead the reduction of cycle time, development of advanced cutters and coatings, High Speed Machining implementation, support the programming and optimization of all CNC-related activities at contract manufacturers worldwide. Own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on statistical process control (SPC) data analysis. Surface Finishing - Develop new processes in the area of blasting, tumbling, polishing, wet sanding, lapping, anodizing, and PVD. Ensure that quality and yield requirements are met.Glass Processing - Develop all processes for glass scribe/break, grinding, lapping, polishing, chemical strengthening, decoration and functional coatings (with inks, and other thin film deposition techniques etc). Ensure that quality and yield requirements are met. Assembly - Develop all assembly processes. Includes incorporating welding, gluing/adhesives, and mechanical fit based processes. Support qualification of equipment at suppliers, including detailed documentation of process parameters. Own yield improvement actions and process change decisions based on statistical process control (SPC) data analysis. Identify automation opportunities and justify automation projects based on automation line efficiency metrics. Painting - Develop all paint processes to achieve cosmetic and surface durability requirements. Scope and specify paint equipment, environmental clean room requirements, evaluate and select most appropriate paints and painting parameters to ensure quality and yield requirements are met.
3+ years of full time mechanical manufacturing experience required25% domestic and international travel required
BS, MS or PhD in mechanical, manufacturing or industrial engineering preferred.Demonstrate hands-on mechanical abilityDemonstrate excellent written and verbal interpersonal skills.Experience with highly cosmetic parts a plus as is experience in a manufacturing environment of consumer electronics or consumer plastic / sheet metal productsBe a self-starter by defining all engineering tasks to meet project objectives and have the ability to quickly learn about new processes with very little information provided

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976