Senior ML Research Engineer, Post-Training for Personalization

Apple, Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 205,000 - 374,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase plan

Discretionary bonuses or commission

Relocation assistance

Educational expense reimbursement

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Apple, Inc. in Seattle, WA is seeking a Staff Research Engineer focused on post-training for personalization of LLMs. You will advance algorithms at the intersection of large language models, multimodal reasoning, and agentic systems to deliver personalized user experiences.

The role emphasizes fluency in algorithm development (prompt optimization, post-training) and collaboration with world-class system engineers to prototype innovative solutions in a large-scale data environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent professional experience in ML/CV with emphasis on ML fundamentals.
• Strong ML and Generative Modeling fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience in post-training or pre-training of large language models and reinforcement learning.
• Familiarity with distributed training.
• Proficiency in using ML toolkits, e.g., PyTorch.
• Proven research contributions demonstrated through publications or open source work.

Responsibilities

• Research and advance post-training methodologies for personalized intelligence in LLMs.
• Drive algorithms that enable models to understand user context and preferences for personalization.
• Collaborate with system engineers to prototype bleeding-edge algorithmic innovations.
• Interface with large-scale modeling and data infrastructure.

Skills

ML fundamentals

Reinforcement learning

Post-training of LLMs

Distributed training

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science or related field

Tools

PyTorch

Job description

Senior ML Research Engineer, Post-Training for Personalization

Seattle, Washington, United States Machine Learning and AI

Do you believe generative models can transform creative workflows and smart assistants used by billions of people? Do you envision a future where AI fundamentally reshapes how people interact with their devices and communicate, delivering experiences personalized to their unique needs and preferences? We are part of Apple’s Intelligent System Experience team, where we develop core modeling technologies that translate cutting‑edge research into compelling user experiences. Our work spans Apple Intelligence initiatives, including Personalization, Agentic Search, Generative Memories, Visual Generation, and more.

Description

We are seeking a Staff Research Engineer with a strong track record in developing novel algorithms for LLM post‑training to advance personalized intelligence. In this role, you will drive research in post‑training methodologies that enable models to better understand individual user needs, adapt to personal context, and deliver more relevant, helpful, and personalized experiences. You will work at the intersection of large language models, multimodal reasoning, personalization, and agentic systems, translating emerging research into scalable, high‑quality experiences.Key attributes expected in the role is fluency in algorithm development (prompt optimization and post training), and strong expertise with relevant techniques (reinforcement learning, multimodal reasoning, context compaction / efficiency & memory systems). The role includes the opportunity to partner with world class system engineers to prototype and incorporate bleeding edge algorithmic innovations in the context of emerging agentic experiences. Ability to interface with large scale modeling & data infrastructure is a huge plus.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science or a related field (mathematics, physics or computer engineering), with a focus on computer vision and/or machine learning or comparable professional experience.
• Strong ML and Generative Modeling fundamentals.
• Hands‑on experience in one or more of the following areas: pre‑training or post‑training of large language models, and reinforcement learning.
• Familiarity with distributed training.
• Proficiency in using ML toolkits, e.g., PyTorch
• Proven track record of research contributions demonstrated through publications in top‑tier conferences, or open source contributions to algorithm.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with building & deploying Multimodal‑LLMs
• Experience building and deploying agentic systems and LLMs with tool‑use and memory capabilities

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 $205,400 and $374,300, 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

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.