On February 6, 2024 (Washington time), the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) released its list of newly elected members for 2023. A total of 114 U.S. members and 21 international members were elected. Among them is Xia Zhiyong, a 1987 graduate of the School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).
Alumnus Profile
- Bachelor’s degrees in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering and Computer Science, Class of 1987, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Distinguished Engineer and Director of Hardware Engineering, Apple Inc.
- Member, U.S. National Academy of Engineering
- Fellow, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Xia is a distinguished engineer and director of hardware engineering at Apple Inc. He earned two bachelor’s degrees; one in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering and the other in Computer Science from SJTU in 1987. He went on to receive his M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University in 1992 and 1994, respectively.
In 1995, Xia joined the Research and Innovation Center at Ford Motor Company as a technical specialist. He later became Technical Director responsible for research and development in automotive materials, manufacturing, and simulation technologies. In 2014, he joined Apple Inc., where he has led research and development in product simulation and machine learning to support the design and manufacturing of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Vision Pro, and other innovative products. His work includes mechanics, materials, manufacturing, and simulation.
Throughout his 30-year career in the automotive and consumer electronics industries, Xia has made significant contributions across numerous domains. He has held leadership roles in both corporate and professional associations. He has authored over 100 academic papers, contributed to 7 technical books, journals, and conference proceedings as editor or co-editor, and holds 25 patents along with 2 trade secrets.
Xia is also a Fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). His many honors include the SAE Henry Ford II Distinguished Award (2005), the SAE/AISI Sydney H. Melbourne Award (2009), the SAE Forest R. McFarland Award (2011), the ASME Dedicated Service Award (2013), the STLE Best Paper Award in Interface Engineering (2014), and three Henry Ford Technical Awards—Ford’s highest technical honor (2005, 2009, 2011).
