Ken Hanson is a manufacturing and technology leader specializing in advanced optics, precision manufacturing, intelligent process control, and next-generation hardware systems. He is currently leading technologies, prototyping, and production engineering initiatives at Apple supporting Vision Products, where he has played a key role in developing and industrializing ultra-high-precision optical module manufacturing platforms for spatial computing systems, including first-generation production ramp efforts for Apple Vision Pro.
With more than 15 years of experience spanning advanced manufacturing R&D, process engineering, production readiness, and cross-functional hardware leadership, Hanson has built a career delivering complex technologies from early concept development through global production deployment. His work bridges the gap between product architecture, manufacturing systems, materials engineering, tooling, automation, and scalable production execution, combining deep technical expertise with systems-level leadership across highly multidisciplinary organizations.
Prior to Apple, Hanson led innovation engineering programs in Procter & Gamble’s iMFLUX business unit, where he directed the development of intelligent closed-loop manufacturing control systems focused on adaptive sensing, real-time process optimization, and advanced injection molding technologies. His work resulted in more than 15 patent publications spanning machine controls, virtual sensing systems, polymer processing, manufacturing intelligence, and process optimization technologies deployed across global industrial operations.
Known for combining technical depth with execution-focused leadership, Hanson has led multi-million-dollar engineering programs involving advanced optics manufacturing, production industrialization, precision tooling, supplier ramp-up, process validation, and scalable prototyping systems. His expertise spans AR/VR optical systems, precision polymer optics, advanced manufacturing processes, intelligent machine controls, and future-facing hardware incubation efforts at the intersection of manufacturing and physical AI systems.
Hanson holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he also received the Graduate Dean’s Gold Medal for highest academic achievement in the program. He has been recognized with the Plastics News Rising Star Award for innovation leadership in manufacturing technologies and continues to focus on advancing the future of intelligent manufacturing, precision hardware systems, and scalable engineering platforms for next-generation computing and robotics technologies.