Senior Data Engineer — Music Services Operations Analytics & Strategy

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 172,100 - 305,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Employee stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to architect scalable data pipelines for music services. This role requires significant experience and a strategic mindset to enable advanced analytics and support AI integration.

The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in data engineering, excellent Python and SQL skills, and a proven ability to lead complex data projects within a collaborative environment. Apple offers competitive pay, stock options, and comprehensive benefits including health coverage and educational reimbursement.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in data engineering or systems architecture.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Expertise in distributed data processing frameworks.
• Extensive hands-on experience designing CI/CD pipelines.
• Proven ability to lead projects and drive consensus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Architect and deploy scalable data pipelines for Apple Music.
• Identify and integrate AI-enabled tools into data systems.
• Build robust validation frameworks for data quality.
• Partner with data scientists for structured datasets.
• Collaborate effectively across teams and translate requirements.

Skills

Python

SQL

Data Engineering

AI-Enabled Tools

Data Quality Management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems

Tools

PySpark

Data Visualization Tools

Job description

Senior Data Engineer — Music Services Operations Analytics & Strategy

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

The Music Services Operations Analytics & Strategy team builds the intelligence infrastructure that powers Apple's media services. Processing billions of records monthly, we manage complex content taxonomies, variable provider data, and hundreds of analytical dimensions — delivering accurate, actionable insights to cross‑functional teams, partner organizations, and executive leadership.

Description

We are seeking a Senior Data Engineer to architect and deploy the robust, AI‑ready data pipelines that serve as the foundation for our analytics capabilities. This role demands both deep systems engineering rigor and strong business partnership — the ideal candidate brings battle‑tested experience at massive scale and the strategic foresight to build extensible, modular systems that span across Music, Video, and Books.

Responsibilities

• Build & Scale Data Infrastructure: Architect and deploy scalable, modular data pipelines optimized for Apple Music's massive scale — delivering reliable, self‑service data products with clear contracts and SLAs that internal teams, data scientists, and external partners can confidently consume.
• Champion AI & Innovation: Proactively identify and integrate AI‑enabled tools, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics workflows into existing data systems. Actively explore how LLMs, RAG pipelines, and emerging technologies can elevate team capabilities and drive operational efficiency. Champion best practices for AI‑augmented data engineering across the organization.
• Drive Data Quality & Observability: Build robust validation frameworks to sanitize unpredictable third‑party and provider feeds. Implement automated data assertions, lineage tracking, advanced anomaly detection, and monitoring to guarantee full transparency and reliability across the production data lifecycle.
• Enable Advanced Analytics: Partner closely with data scientists, analysts, and cross‑functional stakeholders to deliver structured, high‑performance datasets backed by clear SLAs — accelerating insights and systematically reducing dependency on ad‑hoc engineering requests.
• Cross‑Functional Partnership: Collaborate and communicate effectively across Analytics, Operations, Engineering, and Partner teams. Act as a proactive technical partner to the business — translating ambiguous requirements into resilient engineering solutions that align with organizational priorities.
• Operational Excellence & Self‑Service: Lead the team's evolution toward scalable, self‑service analytics. Enforce strict CI/CD practices, mentor peers, and foster a strong data engineering culture centered on quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in data engineering or systems architecture, with a demonstrated history of owning production data systems at massive scale — processing billions of records in complex, high‑volume environments
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL, with expertise in distributed data processing frameworks (e.g., PySpark/Spark), modular software design, and automated testing methodologies
• Extensive hands‑on experience designing and operating CI/CD pipelines, automated deployment workflows, and version‑controlled data infrastructure
• Proven expertise in data quality management, resolving complex taxonomy mapping issues, and implementing programmatic anomaly detection on high‑volume datasets
• Proven ability to lead projects, influence cross‑functional teams, and drive consensus in a matrixed organization — translating stakeholder needs into scalable, well‑scoped technical solutions
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences and effectively influence stakeholders at all levels
• Exceptional aptitude for logical reasoning, critical thinking, and complex problem‑solving
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field

Preferred Qualifications

• Strategic mindset with the ability to define long‑term data architecture vision, anticipate upstream and downstream challenges, and make data‑informed decisions aligned with broader organizational objectives
• A resourceful, action‑oriented innovator who consistently cuts through ambiguity and engineers creative solutions — particularly through the application of AI‑driven technologies, intelligent automation, and emerging data tooling
• Experience leveraging AI‑enabled tools and workflows within data engineering contexts — including familiarity with LLMs, RAG pipelines, and intelligent automation — with a demonstrated ability to apply these technologies to meaningfully improve speed, quality, and operational output
• Deep familiarity with open table formats (Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake), cloud‑native data systems, and self‑service data platform principles including data mesh architectures
• Familiarity with graph databases and SPARQL as a forward‑looking capability
• Demonstrated expertise implementing data privacy frameworks — including hands‑on experience building systems compliant with global regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
• Proficiency with data visualization and reporting tools such as Tableau, Superset, or equivalent platforms — with an ability to translate complex data into clear, consumable insights for business audiences
• Familiarity with the structural nuances of diverse digital media catalogs — audio, video, and publishing data models
• Experience mentoring peers and championing a culture of data engineering excellence across the team
• A genuine passion for Apple products and services, with deep familiarity with the Apple ecosystem and an understanding of the content and media landscape that drives Apple Music and beyond

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 $172,100 and $305,600, 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.

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.

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