Director of Software Engineering, Comms Apps Teams

Apple, Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 311,000 - 497,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase plan

Restricted stock units

Discretionary bonuses

Comprehensive medical and dental cover

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Director of Software Engineering for the Comms Apps Teams in Cupertino, CA. The role leads engineering for Phone, FaceTime, Mail, Contacts, and Messages, driving architectural decisions and high-quality user experiences.

You will collaborate across Human Interface, iOS Platform, and Services, promote privacy-first practices, and align engineering with product strategy while mentoring senior engineers and managers.

Qualifications

• 2+ years at Director level or above.
• Strong privacy, security, and encryption in communication apps.
• Experience designing offline-first, sync-enabled, multi-device apps.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across hardware, software, and services.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for engineering teams building communication apps at scale.
• Partner with UI/UX, platform, and services teams to deliver cohesive experiences.
• Champion privacy-first engineering practices and encryption.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across devices and ecosystems.
• Mentor senior engineers and engineering managers and collaborate with partners.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

System design

Privacy and security

Executive communication

Mentoring engineers

Architectural decisions

Phone/FaceTime/Mail/Contacts/Messages

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Job description

Director of Software Engineering, Comms Apps Teams

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

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. Join Platform Apps & Technologies to lead the engineering teams responsible for defining and delivering the essential communication and productivity experiences that are at the heart of iOS. Drive the technical vision and execution for applications used by hundreds of millions of users daily, setting the standard for quality, performance, and role in defining the user experience around Contacts, FaceTime, Mail, Messages, and Phone.

Description

This role requires collaboration across teams and close partnerships with Product Marketing, Human Interface, and Services to align on strategic directives.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for engineering teams building Phone, FaceTime, Mail, Contacts, and Messages, and drive architectural decisions that ensure seamless integration across Comm Apps at massive scale.
• Partner with Human Interface, iOS Platform, and Services teams to deliver cohesive user experiences across Apple’s ecosystem and drive adoption of new iOS frameworks and capabilities.
• Champion privacy-first engineering practices, including end-to-end encryption implementations and engineering excellence standards for real-time communication, data synchronization, and offline capabilities
• Lead cross-functional initiatives spanning CarPlay, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac to ensure continuity features work flawlessly
• Mentor senior engineers and engineering managers while building inclusive, high-performing teams, and collaborate with carrier partners and standards bodies on telephony and messaging innovations
• Establish long-term technical direction by aligning engineering execution with product strategy and platform evolution

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience at Director level or above.
• Strong understanding of privacy, security, and encryption in communication applications, and excellence in system design for offline-first, sync-enabled, multi-device applications.
• Passion for crafting intuitive, accessible, and delightful user experiences, with strong cross-functional collaboration skills that lead to the best outcomes for the customer.
• Ability to influence and align stakeholders across hardware, software, and services organizations.
• Track record of recruiting, mentoring, and developing world-class iOS engineers, including experience with career development and building inclusive teams.
• Excellence in technical communication for audiences ranging from individual contributors to executive leadership.
• Experience managing technical teams through ambiguity, organizational change, and evolving priorities.
• Proven ability to translate leadership goals into actionable tasks, supported by experience in project planning and executive reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Computer Science or equivalent work experience, with a proven track record shipping consumer-scale communication or productivity applications.

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 $311,100 and $496,900, 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.