Tactile AI Research Engineer - Special Projects (Robotics)

Apple Inc.; Santa Clara, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Retirement benefits

Employee stock programs / RSUs

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Santa Clara, CA seeks a Tactile AI Research Engineer - Special Projects (Robotics) to advance tactile-enabled robotic systems. The role blends mechatronics, controls, haptics, and ML, demanding hands-on work that spans software and hardware to push perception and control in real-world devices.

Join a world-class team delivering impact across Apple, with opportunities to publish and collaborate while building state-of-the-art tactile policies and simulations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years deploying tactile-based policies in robotics.
• 6+ years in robotics and machine learning.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for multi-language systems.
• Experience with PyTorch and TensorFlow.
• Strong software engineering practices and tested code.
• Analytical, troubleshooting and collaboration skills.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in Engineering, Robotics, CS, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Implement and train state-of-the-art ML models for tactile-enabled robotics.
• Optimize and deploy models on physical systems and address sim-to-real gaps.
• Curate and generate training data from simulation and real-world demos.
• Establish evaluation metrics and testing protocols for policy performance.
• Collaborate across disciplines to advance impact for stakeholders.
• Document research findings and developments for internal and external publications.

Skills

Python programming

C++ programming

Machine learning

Deep learning

Robotics

Analytical thinking

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in Engineering or CS or Robotics

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

MuJoCo

IsaacLab

Drake

Job description

Tactile AI Research Engineer - Special Projects (Robotics)

Santa Clara, California, United States Machine Learning and AI

We are seeking research scientists and engineers with strong backgrounds across mechatronics, controls, haptics, robotics, simulation, and machine learning to drive breakthrough innovations in intelligent robotic systems. This position requires a hands‑on approach, integrating software and hardware solutions to push the boundaries of perception, control, and intelligence. You will work alongside world‑class researchers and engineers, contributing to technologies that power the Apple ecosystem.

Description

We are a team of best‑in‑the‑world research scientists and engineers with deep experience in computer vision, machine learning, robotics, haptics, and related areas. We work on exciting new technologies that bring joy to millions of people. In our daily work, the team stays innovative, productive, and fun by sharing some key values: Passion for the mission: We’re here to make something extraordinary. We seek whatever work is right and strive for the best possible results. Modesty: The right answer is more significant than being right. We search for solutions as a team and value clear‑eyed feedback. Lean habits: You can’t grow without limits. Time constraints and big goals encourage us to sharpen our focus and learn to make phenomenal decisions.

Responsibilities

• Implement and train state‑of‑the‑art machine learning models for tactile‑enabled robotic systems.
• Optimize and deploy machine learning models on physical systems, ensuring policing durability across sim‑to‑real‑gaps.
• Curate and generate training data from simulation and real‑world demonstrations ensuring adequate coverage of complex contact physics.
• Establish evaluation metrics and testing protocols to benchmark policy performance.
• Collaborate across disciplines leverage expertise and advance impact across multiple stakeholders.
• Document research findings, methodologies, and technical developments for internal knowledge sharing and external publications.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience successfully deploying tactile‑based policies in robotics.
• 6+ years of relevant experience in robotics and machine learning.
• Strong proficiency in Python and C++ with experience in complex, multi‑language systems.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow.
• Strong software engineering skills, delivering clean, well‑tested, and optimized code.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Functional understanding of tactile sensing and haptics technologies to solve challenges in interaction and manipulation.
• Strong foundation in robot kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and control.
• Experience with a wide range of physics simulation software and their contact mechanics (e.g. Mujoco, IssacLab simulator, Drake, etc.).
• Successful record of employing machine learning techniques to achieve useful system performance.

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.

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.

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.