AI Security Architect- ARC, Apple Information Security

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 172,100 - 258,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking an AI Security Architect to enhance security practices in AI/ML systems in Cupertino, California. You will provide security guidance for high-risk AI initiatives, aligning security architecture with emerging AI technologies.

The ideal candidate will bridge traditional security practices and AI risks, working with various teams to create reusable secure patterns, ensuring safe and innovative adoption of AI across Apple.

In addition to a competitive salary, you’ll receive excellent benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, retirement benefits, and involvement in Apple’s employee stock programs.

Qualifications

• Strong background in security architecture, application security, or cloud security.
• Demonstrated understanding of AI/ML concepts and risks.
• Experience with threat modeling methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide security guidance for AI initiatives across Apple.
• Partner with engineering and compliance teams for secure AI systems.
• Evaluate risks and apply AI to automate security workflows.

Skills

Security architecture

AI/ML knowledge

Threat modeling

Programming languages (e.g., Python)

Communication skills

Education

BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience

Job description

AI Security Architect- ARC, Apple Information Security

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

We are seeking an AI Security Architect with deep expertise across security architecture, AI/ML systems, and threat modeling to join the Apple Information Security (AIS) Assurance ARC team. You will own security guidance for the most critical, high-risk AI initiatives across Apple, shaping architecture patterns, conducting design reviews, selecting or building security solutions for AI-driven environments, and translating expert decisions into AI-powered guidance that scales across the entire organization. Your work will directly determine how safely and confidently Apple adopts AI at scale. Our scope spans across Apple's products, services, and operations, where the adoption of AI is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. The Assurance ARC organization is entrusted with providing expert security architecture guidance for these AI systems, and your contributions will directly impact our ability to protect against evolving AI-specific threats while enabling the business to innovate securely at scale.

Description

In this high-impact role, you will bridge the gap between traditional security practices and emerging AI risks. Operating under Zero Trust principles and Secure by Default framework, you will partner with engineering, data science, product, and compliance teams to build “paved roads” – pre-approved, reusable, secure-by-default patterns that enable teams to build AI-driven systems without a bespoke review for every project. You will amplify the effectiveness of the entire security function, by reducing inbound request volume through proactive foundational work and providing developers, ML engineers, and traditional security architects with clear guidance and standardized controls, leveraging deep AI/ML knowledge, you will evaluate risks such as data poisoning, model manipulation, and prompt injection, while simultaneously applying AI to security workflows to automate threat modeling, design reviews, and control validation. The third dimension of this role beyond prevention and response, is scale: applying AI-driven tooling to extend the team's reach far beyond what headcount alone can achieve. This is a highly strategic and technical role that bridges AI innovation with security, enabling Apple to adopt AI confidently and at pace. As part of the Advisory Arm, you will also contribute directly to the Self‑Service Enablement Platform, codifying decisions, patterns, and trade‑offs from your reviews into AI‑powered guidance accessible to teams without direct advisory engagement. Additionally, by working on Apple's most cutting‑edge AI projects, you will serve as an intelligence sensor for the broader ARC team: identifying emerging AI/ML technologies and architectural patterns that should become future foundational focus areas, ensuring the organization stays ahead of the threat landscape.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Security, or 6+ years of equivalent, hands‑on security experience in large enterprise environments a plus.
• Strong background in security architecture, application security, or cloud security.
• Demonstrated understanding of AI/ML concepts, pipelines, and risks (e.g., data poisoning, prompt injection, model inversion, model theft).
• Experience with threat modeling methodologies (e.g., STRIDE) and secure design principles.
• Familiarity with AI regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, or comparable standards.
• Ability to communicate security concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to partner with engineering, data science, and product teams to drive adoption of security requirements.
• Experience applying AI/LLMs for security automation (e.g., risk analysis, automated threat modeling, compliance validation).
• Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python, Swift, Java).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing full‑stack security architecture reviews encompassing cloud‑native and emerging AI/ML technologies.
• Experience designing security patterns for LLM‑based systems, RAG pipelines, or agentic architectures.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust architecture principles and Secure by Default design.
• Experience with data protection, encryption architecture, and key management in AI/ML contexts.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build consensus across diverse teams.
• A real passion for staying ahead of emerging AI security risks and translating that knowledge into actionable guidance.
• Deeply accountable for your work; upbeat, adaptable, and results‑oriented.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $172,100 and $258,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace.

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.