Staff Machine Learning Engineer – Ads Predictions

Apple; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple seeks a highly skilled Machine Learning Engineer to join the Predictions group. You will build core ML models powering ad predictions and monetization across App Store and News platforms, focusing on scalable, privacy-first solutions.

You will work at the intersection of applied ML, deep learning, and retrieval systems, developing models to predict user interaction, optimize marketplace outcomes, and scale across billions of queries while exploring LLMs, RL, and representation learning for

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience applying machine learning and modeling at scale.
• Deep experience with neural architectures (Transformers, DNNs, RNNs) and training pipelines (TF, PyTorch).
• Practical understanding of reinforcement learning and bandit-based optimization.
• Experience with high-volume data pipelines, A/B testing infrastructure, and performance measurement.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement ML models to improve ad predictions and CTR/CVR.
• Develop and optimize retrieval algorithms for large-scale search/retrieval.
• Contribute to deep learning, ranking signals, and LLM-based ranking.
• Work with distributed datasets to discover signals and improve models.
• Collaborate with engineering, data infra, and product teams to scale models to production.
• Design and run large-scale experiments to validate model architectures.

Skills

ML engineering

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Reinforcement learning

A/B testing

SQL/Scala/Java

Distributed data pipelines

Education

Bachelor's in CS/ML or related field

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Summary

At Apple, we focus deeply on our customers’ experience. Apple Ads brings this same approach to advertising, helping people find exactly what they’re looking for and helping advertisers grow their businesses!Our technology powers ads and sponsorships across Apple Services, including the App Store, Apple News, and MLS Season Pass. Everything we do is designed for trust, connection, and impact: We respect user privacy, integrate advertising thoughtfully into the experience, and deliver value for advertisers of all sizes—from small app developers to big, global brands. Because when advertising is done right, it benefits everyone!

Description

We're is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Machine Learning Engineer to join our Predictions group. We build the core machine learning models that power ad predictions and monetization across Apple’s App Store and News platforms. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in machine learning, information retrieval, and large-scale modeling, and will thrive in a fast-paced, privacy-first environment.You’ll work at the intersection of applied ML, deep learning, and retrieval systems—developing models that predict user interaction, optimize marketplace outcomes, and scale across billions of queries. You'll also explore and operationalize emerging techniques in Large Language Models (LLMs), Reinforcement Learning, and representation learning to advance Apple’s ad prediction systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement ML models to improve predictions of user interaction, click-through rate (CTR), and conversion rate (CVR)


• Develop and optimize retrieval algorithms, leveraging techniques from classical IR and modern deep learning


• Contribute to core modeling areas such as deep neural networks, contextual bandits, multi-task learning, and LLM-based ranking signals


• Work with large-scale, distributed datasets to identify new signals and improve model accuracy and robustness


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across engineering, infrastructure, and product to scale models to production


• Participate in designing and running large-scale experiments to validate new model architectures and learning strategies

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience applying machine learning and statistical modeling at scale, preferably in ad tech, recommender systems, or web-scale search/retrieval


• Deep experience with neural network architectures (e.g., Transformers, DNNs, RNNs) and training pipelines using TensorFlow, PyTorch


• Practical understanding of reinforcement learning, explore/exploit strategies, and bandit-based optimization


• Experience working with high-volume data pipelines, A/B testing infrastructure, and performance measurement at scale


• Proficient in Python and familiar with SQL, Scala, or Java for production environments


• Ability to translate abstract ideas into concrete, high-impact solutions


• Bachelor's, or equivalent experience, in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Information Retrieval, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD, or equivalent experience, in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Information Retrieval, or a related field.


• Great foundation in information retrieval, including query-document matching, embedding-based ranking, and learning-to-rank algorithms is a plus