Robotics AI Engineer

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Employee stock programs

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino seeks an AI/ML engineer to translate natural user intents into robust on-device behaviors, spanning prompt design, model evaluation, and full-stack deployment on Apple silicon.

You will fine-tune frontier models, build agent harnesses, and prototype multimodal capabilities while shipping products that improve user experiences. Strong ML background and hands-on model training are essential.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science or Machine Learning.
• Strong background in modern machine learning methods.
• Experience training or fine-tuning transformer and/or diffusion models.
• Proficiency using coding agents such as Claude Code and Codex.
• Genuine excitement for experimenting with the latest AI models, tools, and multimodal capabilities.
• PhD in CS/ML preferred.

Responsibilities

• Translate user intents into robust, closed-loop plans that adapt as context changes.
• Build agent harnesses grounding model reasoning in user context and system capabilities.
• Leverage multimodal models to understand intent across audio, text, and vision.
• Evaluate models by mapping product requirements to metrics and driving improvements.
• Fine-tune and distill frontier models for on-device use.
• Deploy and optimize models on Apple silicon for real-time performance.
• Prototype and assess latest AI models, tools, and agent harnesses for product capability.

Skills

ML methods

Transformer models

Diffusion models

Coding agents

Multimodal capabilities

Education

BS in CS/ML

MS in CS/ML

PhD in CS/ML

Tools

llama.cpp

vLLM

MLX

Core ML

Job description

Description

In this role, you will translate natural user intents into robust, adaptive behaviors. You will work across the full stack of applied AI/ML: prompting and evaluating frontier models, distilling them into efficient on-device models, and deploying them on Apple silicon. A successful candidate is energized by rapidly experimenting with the latest AI models, tools, and agent harnesses, and has a strong foundation in modern machine learning with hands-on experience training and fine-tuning their own models. Above all, this is a deeply product-driven team that values engineers who have shipped real products and are motivated by putting great experiences into users' hands.

Responsibilities

• Use frontier reasoning models to map user intent into robust, closed-loop plans that clarify, adapt and replan as the encompassing context changes
• Build agent harnesses that ground model reasoning in the user's context and a structured set of system capabilities
• Leverage multimodal models to understand user intent across audio, text & vision
• Evaluate models by translating product requirements into the right set of metrics, and use them to systematically identify failures and drive improvements
• Fine-tune and distill frontier models into smaller, efficient models for on-device use
• Deploy and optimize models on Apple silicon for real-time, efficient and interactive performance
• Rapidly prototype and assess the latest AI models, tools, and agent harnesses to advance product capabilities

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science or Machine Learning
• Strong background in and deep understanding of modern machine learning methods
• Experience training or fine-tuning your own transformer and/or diffusion models
• Proficiency using coding agents such as Claude Code and Codex
• Genuine excitement for experimenting with the latest AI models, tools, and multimodal capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Experience with model fine-tuning and distillation for efficient, on-device deployment
• Hands-on experience with inference engines such as llama.cpp, vLLM, MLX, or Core ML
• Experience building agent harnesses for multi-step, closed-loop reasoning
• Track record of shipping products to users
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow)

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
• reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition
• 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.