Senior Systems Engineer - Special Projects

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 150,400 - 277,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

Discretionary bonuses

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking a senior ML/AI engineer to help turn research into practical features on Apple platforms. You will work with cutting‑edge ideas to deliver an exceptional user experience.

Join a small, nimble team that collaborates across disciplines to build scalable AI systems, with hands‑on prototyping and observable, debuggable architectures. This role offers competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven software development experience, ideally on Apple platforms.
• Strong proficiency in Swift and/or Objective-C.
• Deep experience with Apple frameworks, tools and patterns.

Responsibilities

• Research and discuss the latest intelligence capabilities to inform future Apple features.
• Collaborate with ML research teams to implement cutting-edge ideas on Apple platforms.
• Integrate LLMs into existing systems to provide intelligence-powered features.
• Design robust, scalable data orchestration architectures for AI features.
• Prototype quickly to convert ideas into hands-on products and iterate.
• Build tools to make complex AI systems observable, debuggable and understandable.

Skills

Software development

Swift/ObjC

Apple platforms

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Machine Learning and AI

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together to do great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. We’d love to work with you.

Description

This team nurtures state-of-the-art intelligence ideas into powerful, usable features and systems. We work with the latest AI research and our talented research teams to build innovative implementations of those ideas on Apple platforms. We discuss, debate, and iterate to quickly find out what works, what doesn’t, and what will make of the most magical user experience. We’re a small, nimble team, with varied skills, that’s collaborates to make the best products.

Responsibilities

• Research, discuss, and debate the latest in intelligence capabilities across the industry, and the ways those capabilities could form the foundation of future Apple features and products. Including which ones are not a good fit.
• Work with ML research teams to build implementations of cutting edge research on Apple platforms.
• Integrate LLMs into existing systems to provide seamless intelligence-powered features and capabilities.
• Create robust, scalable architectures for systems that handle data orchestration for AI features.
• Be able to quickly build an idea so you and the team can work with hands‑on products. Then iterate on the best of those prototypes.
• Build tools that help make complex AI systems observable, understandable and debuggable.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven experience in software development. Ideally on Apple platforms.
• Strong proficiency in Swift and/or Objective-C.
• Deep experience with tools, frameworks, and design patterns common used on Apple platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with or a strong understanding of Generative AI, LLMs, Agentic Systems, or RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) workflows.
• Experience integrating LLMs into existing systems.
• Experience with API design, both for other engineers to use, but also for AI systems.

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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. 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.