Data Scientist

Apple Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 171,600 - 302,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Employee stock purchase program

Educational reimbursements

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Quality Engineer in San Diego, CA to join their HID Quality Engineering team. The role involves defining algorithm quality and translating user needs into testable specifications. You'll write quality standards, design test plans, and collaborate closely with various teams. A Master's degree in a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience is required. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $171,600 to $302,200 with comprehensive benefits including stock options and educational reimbursements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering, test strategy, or algorithm/ML evaluation.
• Experience writing test plans for complex systems.
• Familiarity with statistical methods used in algorithm evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Write quality specifications that translate real user needs into testable requirements.
• Design data collection and analysis plans for effective validation.
• Embed with algorithm teams to understand their workflows.

Skills

Quality specifications writing

Statistical methods

Python for data analysis

Education

MS in EE, ECE, CS, Statistics, HCI, Cognitive Science

Job description

Join Apple's HID Quality Engineering team to ensure our products exceed our customers' expectations! You'll work with QE and Algorithm teams to build metrics around algorithm performance, turning user behavior into quality specifications and measurable standards that teams can consistently apply. You will make sure new customer-facing algorithms are validated effectively using data and repeatable processes. This includes defining the right data, ensuring quality of data and labeling, and running tests on datasets.

Description

This role is focused on defining algorithm quality. Day-to-day work involves writing quality specifications, establishing benchmarks, developing test scenario frameworks, and partnering closely with algorithm, platform, and UX research teams to identify where quality standards are missing or misaligned with user outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Write quality specifications that translate real user needs and device constraints into testable technical requirements
• Establish acceptance criteria and benchmarks for touch algorithm families, including clear definitions of meaningful regression versus noise
• Build structured test scenario libraries and coverage models reflecting the diversity of real-world touch interactions and user conditions
• Identify gaps between current validation approaches and user-relevant edge cases
• Design data collection, labeling, and analysis plans that enable effective validation and spec setting
• Embed with algorithm teams to understand their workflows and surface gaps where quality is undefined, inconsistently applied, or disconnected from user impact
• Translate user research and field data into concrete quality requirements, establishing shared language for what "validated" means at each stage of development
• Provide platform and automation teams with a prioritized set of automation requirements grounded in written quality specifications
• Drive adoption of quality frameworks and build consensus across teams with different algorithms, timelines, and constraints

Minimum Qualifications

• MS in EE, ECE, CS, Statistics, HCI, Cognitive Science, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering, test strategy, or algorithm/ML evaluation
• Experience writing quality specifications or test plans for complex technical systems adopted by multiple teams
• Experience with signal‑level sensor algorithms
• Familiarity with statistical methods used in algorithm evaluation, such as A/B testing, regression analysis, and significance testing
• Working proficiency with Python for data exploration and analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in EE, ECE, CS, Statistics, HCI, Cognitive Science, or a related field
• Strong understanding of ML and sensing system behavior, with the ability to reason about failure modes, edge cases, and the difference between a metric shifting and quality actually changing
• Experience defining test scenario coverage models and setting benchmarks for systems where ground truth is ambiguous or user-dependent
• Experience building consensus on quality standards across teams with competing prioritiesAbility to write specifications precise enough for engineers to implement automation directly, without ambiguity
• Background in UX research, HCI, or human factors, with experience grounding technical quality definitions in human behavior
• Familiarity with embedded platform constraints
• Experience with causal inference or advanced experimental design for algorithm evaluation

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 $171,600 and $302,200, 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. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace.

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.