Job Details

Principal Research Scientist, Siri

Cupertino, California, United States

Machine Learning and AI

Summary

Posted: May 27, 2025

Role Number: 200606552

Our team is seeking adept machine learning engineers to build cutting-edge AI-driven products at Apple. This role focuses on full-stack ML development, from prototyping to production implementation, working closely with hardware, software, and design teams across the company. You'll be joining a select group of accomplished professionals who have made significant contributions to cutting-edge LLM projects in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and pushes the boundaries of AI and machine learning. Your work will have far-reaching impact, influencing key strategic decisions and setting precedents for how AI technologies are integrated across our product ecosystem.

Description

In this role, you will be responsible for the entire ML development lifecycle, working with cross-functional teams to bring innovative AI technologies into reality. You'll design high-performance ML models, create and influence ML tooling and infrastructure, drive evaluation efforts, and implement model inference solutions.

The team values rapid iteration, based on bringing models into reality so stakeholders can understand cutting-edge technology and research. You'll collaborate with hardware, software, and design teams across Apple, both representing the technology and implementing complete engineering solutions ready for product development.

This unique opportunity places you at the forefront of innovation, working on projects that have the potential to redefine user experiences and technological capabilities at a company-wide level. Each team member brings unique expertise from their work on transformative industry projects, contributing to an environment that consistently pushes the boundaries of what's possible with AI and machine learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, build, and implement production-ready ML models and infrastructure in partnership with designers, software/hardware engineers, and applied R&D teams

• Drive data generation, curation, and evaluation efforts for ML systems

• Develop and optimize model inference solutions

• Rapidly prototype AI solutions that solve real-world problems

• Communicate and advocate for novel research directions to product-oriented leadership

• Influence modeling architecture decisions and translate research innovations into practical implementations

• Engage with diverse teams across Apple to represent AI technology and implement it into prototypes

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience

• 8+ years proven experience advancing the state of the art of machine learning through hands-on work in product development, prototyping, or research environments

• Strong programming skills with experience in machine learning development

• Understanding of transformer-based models and their applications in product development

• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences

• Track record of rapid prototyping in ML/AI contexts

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep technical expertise in transformer-based large language models (LLMs) and multi-modal foundation models that integrate text, visual, and audio encoders with cross-modal attention mechanisms

• Experience across areas such as pre-training, fine-tuning, performance optimization, and safety alignment

• Expertise in designing and implementing AI agents capable of complex reasoning, task planning, and autonomous decision-making in diverse environments

• Forward-thinking creativity and curiosity about shaping AI capabilities into compelling product experiences that deliver genuine user value

• Demonstrated ability to influence modeling architecture decisions and translate research innovations into practical, product-ready implementations

• Strong collaborative skills with experience effectively communicating and advocating for novel research directions to product-oriented leadership

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.