LLM Machine Learning Engineer, Models and Agent Science, AIML

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental

Retirement plan

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, seeks an LLM Machine Learning Engineer to advance models and agent science. You will work on large language models, interpretation, and optimization for Apple Foundation Models and features used across products.

Join a collaborative team focusing on post-training ML development, evaluating research ideas, and shipping AI at scale with robust performance. Strong software engineering background required.

Qualifications

• BS and 5+ years of experience, MS and 3+ years, or PhD and 1+ year in AI/ML research.
• Ability to read, evaluate, and reproduce recent research and assess practical viability under real-world constraints.
• Strong Python and UNIX skills; experience with agentic coding tools.
• Experience optimizing post-training LLMs and model interpretability or stress-testing.

Responsibilities

• Build groundbreaking ML capabilities for on-device and server-based Apple Foundation Models and features.
• Translate promising research ideas into the Apple product context and evaluate real-world viability.
• Bridge cutting-edge ideas with constraints of shipping AI at scale.
• Collaborate with software engineers and deep learning experts on optimization and interpretability.

Skills

Python

UNIX

Research analysis

LLM optimization

Agent harness development

Software engineering

Education

BS in a related field

MS in a related field

PhD in a related field

Tools

Compute infrastructure

Job description

LLM Machine Learning Engineer, Models and Agent Science, AIML

Cupertino, California, United States • Machine Learning and AI

The Apple Intelligence Agents, Infrastructure, and Research team brings innovative AI research into Apple products, with a focus on optimizing, interpreting, and developing new algorithms for on-device and server-based Apple Foundation Models and Apple Intelligence features.

Description

We are looking for talented Machine Learning Applied Scientists and Research Engineers to build groundbreaking machine learning capabilities and drive emerging innovations. You will join a collaborative team of software developers and deep learning experts focused on large language modeling, optimization, interpretability, and related algorithms. In this role, you will drive applied innovation and evaluate emerging research for real-world viability, translating promising ideas into the Apple product context. You’ll bridge the gap between cutting‑edge ideas and the constraints of shipping AI at scale. Successful candidates will bring a strong software engineering background, hands‑on zero‑to‑one machine learning development experience, and broad expertise in post‑training machine learning models (including quality and performance optimization).

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven ability to define goals and deliver results amid uncertainty and real-world constraints in AI product development
• Ability to read, evaluate, and reproduce recent research and assess its practical viability under real-world constraints
• Experience optimizing or post‑training large language models (LLMs), developing interpretability or stress‑testing algorithms, steering model behavior, or building agent harnesses
• Strong Python and UNIX skills and a demonstrated ability to use agentic coding tools in these environments
• History of applied research in neural network optimization, model training, or a related area
• Proven track record of driving scientific investigations and experiments while overcoming obstacles and uncertainty in a research environment
• BS and 5+ years of experience, MS and 3+ years of experience, or PhD and 1+ year of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a related field
• Publication record at top AI/ML venues
• Experience with post‑training LLMs and network optimization algorithms, as well as interpretability or steering techniques for LLMs
• Experience working with large‑scale compute infrastructure
• Experience shipping a real‑world product, project or feature
• Experimental rigor and ablation design when benchmarking LLM optimizations
• Strong communication and accountability skills, with a collaborative mindset and strong work ethic

Benefits

Benefits include comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and services, and reimbursement for educational expenses related to your career growth.

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.