Offensive Security Researcher, SEAR

Apple Inc.; Cupertino, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock programs

relocation potential

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Security Engineer within the Security Engineering & Architecture (SEAR) organization in Cupertino to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in AI-powered features and agentic systems across Apple platforms.

You will build offensive capabilities against autonomous AI workflows and study prompt injection, data exfiltration, and related attack surfaces. You will join world-class researchers shaping Apple’s security posture and contribute to AI-driven vulnerability discovery

Qualifications

• Solid grounding in memory corruption, logic flaws, auth bypass.
• Strong understanding of modern AI/LLM systems and failure modes.
• Experience applying AI/ML tools to security research workflows.

Responsibilities

• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in AI-powered features and agentic systems across Apple platforms.
• Help build offensive capabilities against autonomous systems and anticipate exploitation in the wild.
• Conduct offensive research into AI-specific attack classes, including prompt injection and data exfiltration.

Skills

AI/ML security research

Vulnerability discovery

Security research automation

Python

C/C++

Swift

Objective-C

Tools

IDA

Ghidra

LLDB

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

Apple’s Security Engineering & Architecture (SEAR) organization is responsible for the security of all Apple products. Passionate about safeguarding our users, we lead with offence proactively uncovering and eliminating vulnerabilities before attackers ever get the chance.As AI systems become deeply integrated into operating systems, developer tools, and user experiences, they introduce entirely new attack surfaces vulnerable to prompt injection, agentic privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and AI-assisted exploitation at unprecedented scale.Think you have the creativity and determination to break these systems? Join us and help secure the next generation of intelligent platforms used by billions of people.

Description

In this role, you will identify and exploit vulnerabilities in AI-powered features and agentic systems across Apple platforms. The AI systems themselves are the attack surface. You will help to build offensive capabilities against autonomous systems and anticipate how adversaries may exploit AI enabled systems in the wild.You will join a team working with world-class offensive security researchers. The work is critical directly shapes the security posture of Apple.You will conduct offensive research into AI-specific attack classes, including prompt injection, agentic data exfiltration and lateral movement, persistence mechanisms in AI workflows, AI-assisted vulnerability discovery and exploitation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Solid grounding in common vulnerability classes (memory corruption, logic flaws, auth bypass)
• Strong understanding of modern AI/LLM systems and their failure modes (e.g., prompt injection, data exfiltration, model misuse)
• Experience applying AI/ML tools (e.g., LLMs, agents) to automate or augment security research workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience attacking or defending agentic systems (multi-step AI workflows, tool-using agents, MCP-style integrations)
• Familiarity with prompt injection techniques, obfuscation (e.g., encoding-based bypasses), and model manipulation strategies
• Experience building or evaluating AI-driven vulnerability discovery pipelines
• Knowledge of capability-based security models or policy enforcement systems for AI agents
• Experience with reverse engineering and low-level systems (IDA, Ghidra, LLDB)
• Proficiency in one or more: Python, C/C++, Swift, Objective-C
• Familiarity with Apple platforms (iOS, macOS) and their security architecture

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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
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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.