Sr. Software Engineering Manager, Internal Tools

Apple; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a Senior Software Engineering Manager to lead the Internal Engineering Tools team in San Diego. You will shape roadmaps, guide a high-performing group of engineers, and drive platforms and AI-powered capabilities that enhance developer productivity across the engineering ecosystem.

You will collaborate with engineering, product, design, operations, and AI teams to build scalable solutions, mentor leaders, and accelerate innovation while maintaining Apple’s standards for

Qualifications

• 10+ years in a leadership role managing software engineering teams.
• Experience leading lean software engineering teams across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Hands-on software engineering background with SDLC and best practices.
• Coaching and developing engineers and leaders.
• Experience establishing operating models and roadmaps across stakeholders.
• Experience leveraging Generative AI to accelerate development and build AI-powered products.
• Strong architectural judgment across cloud, distributed systems, and modern web tech.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/SE or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Internal Engineering Tools organization.
• Define roadmaps and provide strategic direction with hands-on leadership.
• Partner with engineering, product, design, operations, and AI teams to deliver impactful solutions.
• Improve developer productivity and streamline workflows across the engineering ecosystem.
• Mentor and develop engineers and engineering leaders, fostering technical excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Generative AI

Software architecture

Cloud platforms

Distributed systems

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Roadmap planning

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Java

React

Svelte

Job description

At Apple, great ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences. We’re looking for an exceptional Senior Software Engineering Manager to lead our Internal Engineering Tools organization and help shape the future of how engineering teams build, operate, and innovate at scale. In this role, you’ll lead a talented team responsible for developing the platforms, applications, and AI-powered capabilities that empower engineering teams and programmers. You’ll combine technical leadership, organizational influence, and a passion for building exceptional teams to deliver scalable solutions that improve developer productivity, streamline workflows, and accelerate innovation across the video engineering ecosystem.

DESCRIPTION

As a Senior Software Engineering Manager, you will lead and grow a high-performing engineering team responsible for building mission-critical internal tools and platforms. You will provide both strategic direction and hands-on technical leadership, partnering closely with engineering, product, design, operations, and AI teams to define roadmaps, deliver impactful solutions, and continuously improve the developer experience across the organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in a leadership role managing software engineering teams. Proven experience leading lean software engineering teams across multiple concurrent, cross-functional initiatives while consistently delivering high-quality results.
• Prior experience as a software engineer with a strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and engineering best practices.
• Prior hands-on experience as a software engineer with a strong foundation in software architecture, modern development practices, and the full software development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated success coaching, mentoring, and developing engineers and engineering leaders, fostering technical excellence and career growth.
• Experience establishing engineering operating models, including intake, prioritization, roadmap planning, resource allocation, and execution across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience leading teams that leverage Generative AI both to accelerate software development and to build AI-powered products and capabilities that solve business problems.
• Strong technical judgment across software architecture, cloud platforms, distributed systems, and modern web technologies, with the ability to evaluate trade-offs and guide teams through design, implementation, validation, and operational support.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to build trusted partnerships, influence technical direction, and navigate complex organizational priorities.
• Experience balancing competing priorities while creating scalable, lightweight processes that improve execution, transparency, and organizational alignment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience building and scaling internal developer tools, engineering platforms, or workflow automation systems.
• Experience designing and deploying AI- and ML-powered solutions, including large language model (LLM) applications and intelligent automation.
• Proficiency with multiple programming languages and technology stacks, such as Java, React, Svelte.
• Experience leading distributed or globally dispersed engineering teams.
• Proven track record of driving engineering process improvements, operational excellence, and platform modernisation.
• Experience defining technical strategy, influencing architectural decisions, and delivering organization-wide engineering initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate organizational needs into scalable technical solutions.
• Passion for building inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing engineering cultures.
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field is preferred.