Machine Learning Engineer - Special Projects

Apple Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,400 - 277,600; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking research engineers in Santa Clara, California, to build infrastructure for AI agents, reinforcement learning, and simulation environments.

You will design data pipelines, simulation systems, and tooling enabling cutting-edge agent research within a world-class ML team. Responsibilities emphasize a mission-driven mindset, collaboration, and lean execution to ship ML systems end-to-end, from data curation to deployment and monitoring, in production.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of ML engineering for data-intensive systems.
• Fluency in Python; deliver clean, tested code.
• Experience with distributed ML systems and CI/CD at scale.
• Strong SQL, statistical reasoning, and data interpretation.
• Proven track record shipping ML systems end-to-end in production.

Responsibilities

• Drive mission-driven research and deliver high-impact results.
• Collaborate with team to find clear, data-backed solutions.
• Maintain lean habits to deliver scalable ML infrastructure.

Skills

ML engineering

SQL

Data analysis

End-to-end ML lifecycle

Problem framing

Education

Bachelor's or Masters in CS/Engineering/Math/Physics

Tools

Python

Airflow

Ray

Prefect

Job description

Santa Clara, California, United States Machine Learning and AI

We're seeking research engineers to build infrastructure for breakthrough innovations in AI agents, reinforcement learning, and simulation environments. You will design and implement high-quality data pipelines, simulation systems, and tooling that enable cutting‑edge agent research. You will work in an organization of world‑class machine learning researchers and engineers. Our work powers technologies across the Apple ecosystem and is published in the most selective scientific journals and conferences.

Description

We are a team of best‑in‑the‑world research scientists and engineers building the foundations for autonomous AI systems. We work on exciting new technologies that bring joy to millions of people. In our daily work, the team stays innovative, productive, and fun by sharing some key values:

Responsibilities

• Passion for the mission: We're here to make something extraordinary. We seek whatever work is right and strive for the best possible results.
• Modesty: The right answer is more significant than being right. We search for solutions as a team and value clear‑eyed feedback.
• Lean habits: You can't grow without limits. Time constraints and big goals encourage us to sharpen our focus and learn to make phenomenal decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of ML engineering experience building and maintaining data‑intensive systems – including feature pipelines, training infrastructure, model serving, or evaluation frameworks.
• Solid software engineering skills in complex systems – fluency in Python. You deliver clean, well‑tested code.
• Hands‑on experience with distributed ML systems – CI/CD at scale, distributed testing, or ML evaluation pipelines.
• Strong quantitative and data skills – comfortable with SQL, statistical reasoning, and translating ambiguous signals into clear, actionable findings.
• Proven track record shipping ML systems end‑to‑end – from problem framing and data curation through training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring in production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Math, or Physics from a strong program.
• 2+ years at a company building AI products or agent systems.
• Experience with job orchestration frameworks (Airflow, Prefect, Ray, etc.).
• Familiarity with macOS/iOS development ecosystems.
• Active personal interest in AI agents—you're already experimenting on your own time.

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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. 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.