Sr Engineering Program Manager, AIML Foundation Models

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 175,500 - 263,800; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, is seeking a Senior EPM for Foundation Models to own the end-to-end program for world-class AI initiatives.

You will define the master plan, set goals with DRIs, and translate extreme technical complexity into clear executive communications across Research, OS Software, Privacy, and Legal. The role requires 6+ years of program management for ML data acquisition, strong ML concepts, and outstanding communication.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of program management experience in data acquisition for ML technologies.
• Experience with machine learning concepts and technologies, including building, evaluating and release management for ML systems.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills enabling clear messages to diverse audiences.
• Ability to distill complex technical requirements from multiple partners into a coherent long-term platform roadmap.
• Experience leading cross-functional security and privacy initiatives with Legal, Privacy Engineering, Security, and other teams.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to structure programs and manage multiple work streams.
• Proven ability to collaborate across the organization and draft/present deliverables and recommendations.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in EE/CS/CE or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Own the End-to-End Program Strategy: define the master plan, goals, and DRIs, translating complexity into executive-facing communications.
• Lead Through Influence: drive decisions across senior leaders and align trade-offs between model capabilities, hardware, and user experience.
• Architect Technical Program Plans: develop multi-year plans with dependencies and critical paths, anticipating roadblocks.
• Proactively Manage Technical & Program Risk: identify and mitigate risks, coordinating between teams to protect ship commitments.
• Own Cross-Functional Strategies: partner with Privacy, Legal, and Finance to ensure data strategy aligns with Apple's values.

Skills

Program management

ML concepts

Communication

Negotiation

Privacy & security collaboration

Cross-functional collaboration

Deliverables drafting

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in EE/CS/CE

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Machine Learning and AI

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to 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. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something.

Description

As a senior EPM for Apple's Foundation Models, you will own and drive the definition, execution, and delivery of some of the world's most advanced AI. This is not just about evaluating models; it's about orchestrating the entire end-to-end program that brings them to life. You will leverage your deep technical expertise in the large-scale ML lifecycle—from massive data pipelines and distributed training to sophisticated evaluation and on-device inference—to ship groundbreaking, privacy-focused experiences to millions of users. Success in this role requires orchestrating a massive cross-functional effort, building influential partnerships with world-class teams such across Research, OS Software, Privacy, and Legal.

Responsibilities

• Own the End-to-End Program Strategy: Define and drive the master plan for our most ambitious foundation model programs. You will create the strategic roadmap, establish goals with DRIs, and synthesize extreme technical complexity into clear, actionable communications for executive leadership.
• Lead Through Influence: Drive critical decisions across senior leaders. You are the leader who frames the complex trade-offs between model capabilities, hardware constraints, and the user experience, building alignment around a common purpose even in the face of competing priorities.
• Architect Technical Program Plans: Go beyond simple schedules. Leverage your deep technical acumento architect and manage complex, multi-year plans with clear dependencies and critical paths. Your plans will anticipate technical roadblocks in areas like data pipelines, distributed training, and on-device optimization.
• Proactively Manage Technical & Program Risk: Look around corners to identify, expose, and mitigate risks before they derail the program. You will be the central point of contact for closing gaps between teams and will be empowered to make pragmatic adjustments to the plan to protect ship commitments.
• Own Critical Cross-Functional Strategies: Own the strategy and execution for foundational pillars of the program, such as data acquisition and model evaluation. You will partner directly with Privacy, Legal, and Finance to ensure our data strategy is not only world-class but also aligns with Apple's core values.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in program management in the data acquisition of ML technologies
• Experience with machine learning concepts and technologies. Detailed understanding of building, evaluating and release management processes for ML systems
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated skill of negotiating and distilling sophisticated technical requirements from multiple partners into a coherent long term platform roadmap
• Experience leading cross functional security and privacy initiatives and collaborating with Legal, Privacy Engineering, Security and other teams across the organization to ensure compliance with privacy policies and security mandates
• Project management skills including project structuring and managing multiple work streams interdependently
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across the organization
• Ability to independently draft and present deliverables, recommendations and communication strategies
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in EE/CS/CE or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct program management experience with Generative AI or Large Language Models (LLMs) is highly desired.
• A background in programs involving hardware/software co-design for ML acceleration and shipping AI features in a consumer product would be a significant advantage.

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 $175,500 and $263,800, 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.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.