Senior Software Engineer - AI Transparency Platform

Apple Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 263,300; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in San Diego is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for the AI Transparency Platform to own backend components powering private, verifiable AI services at scale across Apple devices.

You will design, build, and operate server-side features with strong emphasis on privacy, security, and reliability. Lead cross-functional work with iOS, hardware, and other teams, mentor engineers, and drive architectural decisions from conception through delivery.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of backend software engineering experience.
• Experience with Java, Go, or C#.
• Experience building large-scale, highly available services.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate server-side components for new features.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with iOS, hardware, and other teams.
• Ensure reliable, secure integration across all stack layers.
• Mentor engineers and promote technical excellence.

Skills

Backend development

Java

Go

C#

Strong ownership

Communication skills

Job description

Senior Software Engineer - AI Transparency Platform

San Diego, California, United States Software and Services

Apple Intelligence is redefining what people expect from AI on their devices: capable, personal, and built on a foundation of privacy and verifiable transparency. The most demanding workloads run on Private Cloud Compute (PCC) — Apple’s purpose‑built server‑side AI platform, engineered so that user data is processed without ever being exposed to Apple or anyone else, with public, cryptographic proof that those guarantees hold. PCC sets a new bar for privacy in cloud AI.

Our team builds the secure identity and transparency services that anchor those guarantees, for Apple Intelligence and PCC, iMessage, and other critical Apple products. We produce the backend systems behind the cryptographic proof, so the billions of Apple users and their devices can connect and compute with confidence.

We are a small team with big impact, tackling challenges across verifiable key transparency, privacy‑preserving infrastructure, data consistency and reliability at extreme scale, and publicly auditable, tamper‑evident logging systems that span an increasingly diverse cloud footprint.

Are you interested in product innovation and building services with unrivaled privacy and security, while solving unique, large‑scale, and highly‑complex technical problems? Are you passionate about delivering the best possible experience to customers? If so, come join us!

Description

Join us to build the transparency infrastructure that makes private AI possible, and that scales to the next billion users and devices. Your responsibilities will cover all aspects of the software development lifecycle, including feature exploration, architectural design, development, testing, and operations for services that demand the highest standards of reliability and security. You will represent our team in various cross‑functional settings and lead projects in our realms of expertise.

We are seeking a strong technical, hands‑on engineer who is passionate about applying their skills to create real‑world impact and build products that users love. You should feel a personal stake in the services we are responsible for, be eager to learn about new technologies, and have the ability to build positive and effective relationships with the people you work with.

Our work is complex, challenging, and highly visible: as Apple Intelligence grows, transparency becomes load‑bearing infrastructure for AI privacy at global scale. The opportunities for you to make an impact here are boundless.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate the critical server‑side components that power new communication features, taking full ownership of their architecture, quality, and reliability.
• Act as the server‑side technical lead for new features, partnering with iOS, hardware, and other service teams to influence and craft the end‑to‑end architecture.
• Assume responsibility for the successful delivery of a feature’s backend, while acting as a key collaborator in the success of the overall feature across all layers of the stack.
• Lead sophisticated, multi‑functional projects from conception to delivery, ensuring technical alignment and flawless integration between your services and other components.
• Mentor and guide engineers both within our team and across the company, helping to develop their skills and encouraging a culture of technical perfection and collaboration.
• Uphold and champion our deep dedication to user experience, privacy, and security in every aspect of your work.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 3+ years of backend software engineering experience.
• Experience in Java, Go, C#, or similar languages.
• Experience in building large scale, highly available application services.
• Independent, driven, motivated, and a deep sense of ownership.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good understanding of multi‑threading, non‑blocking I/O, and client‑server development.
• Experience with applied cryptography.
• Understanding of transparency systems (key transparency, certificate transparency, Merkle trees).
• Experience with distributed database systems (such as Cassandra).

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 $175,000 and $263,300, 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.

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.