Software Engineering Manager (Watch Faces) - Watch Software

Apple Inc.; Cupertino, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 206,000 - 356,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock programs

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement

Medical and dental coverage

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, CA is seeking a Software Engineering Manager for Watch Faces to lead a team focused on creating, optimizing, and maintaining innovative watch faces for Apple Watch.

This role emphasizes UI development, graphics, and performance optimization within the watchOS Platform group. You will collaborate with design partners and product marketing to ensure technical excellence aligns with Apple’s design aesthetics and product vision, while mentoring engineers across multiple

Qualifications

• Experience building and leading a team of engineers at varying levels.
• Expertise in UI layout, animation and user interaction systems (CoreAnimation, UIKit, SwiftUI, or Metal).
• Experience collaborating with design partners and understanding design practices.
• Deep technical understanding and hands-on experience with software development life cycle.
• Strong computer science fundamentals.
• Strong product sense balancing feasibility with user experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers to create, optimize, and maintain watch faces for Apple Watch.
• Collaborate closely with design and product marketing teams to align with design aesthetics and product vision.
• Drive performance optimization and maintain code quality across the face development stack.
• Support cross-functional partners across domains to deliver end-to-end features.

Skills

Team leadership

UI animation

Design collaboration

Software lifecycle

CS fundamentals

Product sense

Communication skills

Tools

Metal

OpenGL

Job description

Software Engineering Manager (Watch Faces) - Watch Software

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

Join the team creating Apple’s most personal product. Apple Watch continues to blur the boundary between physical object and user interface. Watch Faces are at the forefront of this personalized user experience. Part art, part utility, always innovative. Help us build the next generation of human-computer interaction.The watchOS Platform group is seeking an energetic and ambitious software engineering manager to lead a team of highly skilled and experienced engineers in creation, optimization, and maintenance of watch faces for the Apple Watch. This role demands a deep expertise in UI development, with a strong focus on computer graphics, animation, and performance optimization. You’ll collaborate closely with design and product marketing teams, ensuring that watch faces not only meet technical standards but also align with Apple's design aesthetics and product vision.

Description

The position requires strong communication and problem-solving skills as well as an ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities. The ability to work as a teammate is significant, as this hands‑on position requires multi-functional collaboration with engineers and leaders across domains. Experience leading a software development team, as well as a consistent track record of bringing products to market, are critical to this role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience building and leading a team of senior and junior engineers
• Expertise in UI layout, animation and user interaction systems, such as CoreAnimation, UIKIt, SwiftUI, or Metal
• Experience working closely with design partners and familiarity with design practices
• Deep technical understanding and hands-on experience with software development and lifecycle management
• Solid computer science fundamentals
• Strong product sense and the ability to balance technical feasibility with user experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience defining and driving application or systems architecture
• Expertise in low level computer graphics languages such as Metal or OpenGL
• Ability to work with technology partners at all levels of the stack, from hardware, sensors, and firmware to frameworks and applications
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills

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 $206,200 and $356,400, 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.