AIML - Machine Learning Engineer, Visual Intelligence Technology

Apple Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 216,200 - 324,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Discounts on Apple products

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Santa Clara, California, seeks a senior ML/AI leader to drive large‑scale machine learning for search query understanding and ranking.

You will build and optimize models, collaborate with researchers on domain‑specific LLMs, and deliver production‑ready AI features across Apple products.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, ML, Information Retrieval, Data Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in ML, DL, IR, NLP or data mining.
• 5+ years of prompt engineering, fine‑tuning, and data-collection tooling for LLMs.
• Experience leading a software shipping team.
• Strong design for ML platforms, architectures or algorithms.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop large‑scale ML and DL to improve query understanding and ranking of search.
• Build ML models using word embeddings and deep learning to understand match quality.
• Collaborate with researchers to develop, fine‑tune, and evaluate domain‑specific LLMs for tasks in Apple’s AI‑powered products.
• Translate research into production‑ready technologies and features.

Skills

Machine learning

Deep learning

Information retrieval

Natural language processing

Data mining

Prompt engineering

LLM development

Team leadership

ML platform design

Education

MS or PhD in Computer Science / AI / ML

Tools

Keras

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Santa Clara, California, United States Machine Learning and AI

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something. In Visual Intelligence Technology team, we work hard to bring the best user experiences powered by Apple Intelligence. We leverage cutting‑edge technologies like Visual Search and LLM to empower user‑facing features like Visual Look‑up and Visual Intelligence in camera and photos. We also advance our technology innovation in Visual Intelligence Technology and Multimodal Foundation Model for longer‑term ambitious goals.

Responsibilities

As part of this group, you will do large‑scale machine learning and deep learning to improve query understanding and ranking of search, developing fundamental building blocks needed for artificial intelligence. This involves developing sophisticated machine learning models, using word embeddings and deep learning to understand the quality of matches, online learning to react quickly to change, natural language processing to understand queries, taking advantage of petabytes of data and signals from millions of users, and combining information from different sources to provide the user with results that best satisfies their intent and information‑seeking needs. You will also work with researchers and data scientists to develop, fine‑tune, and evaluate domain‑specific large language models for various tasks and applications in Apple’s AI‑powered products, and conduct applied research to transfer groundbreaking research in generative AI to production‑ready technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Information Retrieval, Data Science or related field
• 7+ years of experience in machine learning, deep learning, information retrieval, natural language processing or data mining
• 5+ years of experience of prompt engineering, fine‑tuning, evaluating, and developing data collection/annotation/management tooling for LLMs
• Experience being a tech lead, and has been successfully leading a team to ship software to users
• Excellent knowledge and good practical skills in designing ML platforms, architectures or algorithms
• Strong interpersonal skills able to work independently as well as in a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optimizing performance on resource constrained devices
• Experience with relevant deep learning software packages (Keras, Tensorflow, PyTorch…)
• Experience with graphics development: OpenGL, Metal, Vulcan or neural engine integration / optimization
• Experience with OpenGL and/or OpenCL programming

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base pay range for this role is between $216,200 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

You’ll also receive benefits including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. This role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. 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.

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. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.