Sr Messages Infrastructure Engineer

Apple Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 184,700 - 324,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Stock programs

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Bonuses/commissions

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking an engineer to design and ensure robustness of the Messages core on-device architecture and sync infrastructure across iOS, macOS, watchOS and visionOS.

You will focus on foundational data structures, APIs, and persistence layers that power Messages across platforms. Responsibilities include building and optimizing sync with Messages in iCloud, CloudKit integration, and collaborating with security, platform API, and UX teams to deliver new features while maintaining

Qualifications

• Proficient in object-oriented design and mobile app architecture.
• Experience building and maintaining iOS/macOS/watchOS/visionOS apps.
• Strong problem-solving skills with modular, testable code.

Responsibilities

• Design on-device data architectures for Messages data across platforms.
• Develop robust data structures, APIs, and databases for Messages features.
• Build and optimize sync infrastructure with Messages in iCloud and CloudKit.
• Manage system daemons, storage, and transcoding pipelines.
• Write testable code to ensure quality and backward compatibility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver new features.

Skills

OOP Design

Mobile apps

Swift/Obj-C

Multi-threading

Tools

SQLite

CloudKit

XPC

Job description

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Software and Services

Join Apple’s Messages team as an engineer responsible for designing and ensuring the robustness of Messages core on-device architecture and sync infrastructure. Our team is dedicated to creating exceptional user experiences, as Messages is a crucial platform for secure global connections. You will focus on the foundational data structures, APIs, and persistence layers that power Messages across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. Work on building and scaling infrastructure related to Messages in iCloud utilizing CloudKit, SQLite databases, and system daemons. You will have the opportunity to work closely with partner teams in iCloud, Telephony, IdentityServices. Come be part of the team helping our customers connect to their most important people in delightful, expressive ways.

Description

Every day, millions of people connect via Messages, expressing and sharing with the people who matter most to them in many different ways. We are constantly adding new communication tools for iMessage, all with end-to-end encryption for both individual and group conversations. We believe privacy is a fundamental human right, and you’ll incorporate this belief into everything we build.

Responsibilities

• Designing and maintaining the on-device architecture that stores, vends, and syncs Messages data across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS.
• Developing robust data structures, APIs, and database schemas to support innovative new Messages features.
• Building and optimizing sync infrastructure, specifically focusing on Messages in iCloud and CloudKit integration.
• Managing system daemons, attachment storage, and transcoding pipelines.
• Creating testable code to rigorously test changes and ensure consistent quality and backwards compatibility over time.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams—including peer engineers on protocols, security, platform API, and user experience—to build exciting new features.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong object-oriented development and design skills
• At least 6 years of industry experience building mobile applications
• The ability to adapt quickly to new technical environments and resolve sophisticated problems
• A passion for modular, maintainable, testable code

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 2 years of prior hands‑on iOS or macOS application development
• Experience with Swift and/or Objective‑C preferred
• Experience with databases (SQLite), sync frameworks (CloudKit), and system daemons (XPC)
• Experience with system concepts including multi‑threaded processing, synchronization, and interprocess communication
• Experience maintaining legacy code and backwards compatibility, with a record of replacing legacy code with new things in non‑disruptive ways
• Specific experience defining and driving data structures, APIs, or persistence layers for communication features

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.