Job Details

Principal Software Engineer, Retail Foundations

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Software and Services

Summary

Posted: May 15, 2025

Role Number: 200604165

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.

Apple Retail Engineering team builds the software systems that power all the magical experiences we offer to our Apple Store customers, be it digital or in-person. As a part of this organization, Retail Engineering Foundations group focuses on developer productivity, shared runtime systems, and common frameworks & platforms for all Retail Engineering teams.

When you join Retail Foundations as a Principal Software Engineer, you’ll help plan for, design and manage frameworks, platforms, and systems that countless Apple customers and employees rely on every day. Together, we’ll explore all the ways to improve how Apple Store operates, freeing our employees to do what they do best, and crafting magical experiences for our customers.

Description

As a principal-level Software Engineer, you will architect, design, develop, test, document, improve, and maintain code mostly in Java (and other languages as needed), focusing on foundational systems, frameworks, and platforms for Retail Engineering.

You will partake in every aspect of your projects, from planning to design to implementation and future iterations, and you will be encouraged to play an extended role in collaboratively designing and implementing solutions to address the requirements of a diverse set of Retail Engineering teams working on various aspects of online & in-person Apple Store experiences.

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, proactive and results-driven. Attention to detail, dedication to providing high-quality solutions modeling engineering excellence, and ability to work towards timely delivery of projects are all crucial qualities needed to work at Apple as a Software Engineer.

The ideal candidate will also possess excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with various Retail Engineering teams and their leaders, various internal and external partners, and senior leaders of Apple.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional work experience. Graduate degrees preferred.

• 12+ years proven experience developing software in a professional capacity. Longer experience preferred.

• 8+ years proven experience designing, implementing, and shipping high-scale, high-performance, highly available, fault-tolerant, and secure cloud-based distributed systems, including mastery in API/RPC design and implementation.

• 8+ years proven experience using relational, NewSQL and NoSQL databases, including mastery in schema design, query optimization, and orchestrating sophisticated, transactional data interactions between databases in distributed systems.

• History of using high-performance domain-specific languages (DSLs) and associated tools to improve engineering and/or business productivity. Hands-on experience designing, and implementing such DSLs strongly preferred.

• Mastery in functional programming and OOP principles, data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns (e.g. GoF), with a proven focus on implementing testable, maintainable, and extensible code.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with mastery of long-form writing. Demonstration via presentations in public conferences and published articles strongly preferred.

• Track record of leading software projects that span multiple, distributed teams as a hands-on tech lead (TL), while mentoring staff- and senior-level software engineers.

• Proven experience with Java and at least one other high-performance backend language, including mastery in concurrency, memory management, and performance optimization techniques. Experience with multiple high-performance backend languages strongly preferred (e.g. Rust, Go, C++, TypeScript-on-server, Swift-on-server, etc.).

• Comfortable using CI/CD tools to build, test, deploy, and release containerized software applications on cloud-based Kubernetes (e.g. AWS EKS, GCP GKE, Azure AKS, etc.).

• Extensive knowledge of networking concepts & protocols (e.g. HTTP/HTTPS, CDN, edge computing, load balancing, OSI model, etc.).

Pay & Benefits

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 $207,800 and $378,700, 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. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.