Senior Manager - AI Data Operations

You will lead an organization of internal domain experts, building scalable annotation programs that balance accuracy and speed while maintaining quality standards. You will partner closely with Engineering, Data Science, and Programs to translate evolving system requirements into robust audit pipelines, tooling strategies, and measurable performance lift.

Own end-to-end data annotation and system audit operations, including the strategy, workflow designs, execution, and performance optimization.
Design quality frameworks including gold sets, inter-rater reliability systems, audits, and error taxonomies.
Operationalize auditing for training, evaluation, and red-teaming.
Partner with Engineering teams to understand and build out supporting roadmaps.
Drive tooling evolution, automation strategy, and active learning pipelines.
Communicate roadmap, risks, and performance to executive stakeholders.
Develop and execute on automation and data augmentation strategies that scale the organization’s impact.

MS in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Math or a related field
8+ years of people management of data scientists, statisticians, or other analysis-related teams.
10-12 Years in AI data operations or ML program leadership.
Demonstrated experience leading large-scale annotation or data operations teams.
Skilled at attracting new talent, as well as developing talent within the team and planning for succession.
Builds a culture where values guide decisions, people are put first, and innovation drives quality results.
Communicates with humility and curiosity, creating an environment where people feel safe to share feedback openly.
Strong understanding of ML lifecycle, model evaluation metrics, and feedback loops.
Proven track record building scalable quality systems in high-growth environments.
Ability to influence cross-functional technical leaders and executives.
Deep analytical mindset with comfort in ambiguity and rapid iteration environments.

Experience designing RLHF or structured human feedback programs.
Background in large language model evaluation and red-teaming.
Familiarity with synthetic data strategies.
Exposure to the software development lifecycle or internal tooling investments.
Prior experience managing a data operations team.

Imagine what you could do here! The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they build the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. At Apple, inclusion is a shared responsibility, and we work together to develop a culture where everyone belongs and is inspired to do their best work.
Here on the Apple Store Online team, we are responsible for Apple’s largest store. Our main goal is to deliver a magical, personal digital experience where customers can shop, buy and learn everything Apple, wherever they are. Each customer should feel like they are our only customer and our job is to set the bar for the experience they receive. To run such an extraordinary store, it takes extraordinary people, and we are looking for someone to help us do extraordinary things.
Apple's Retail Decision Automation team is looking for an outstanding and experienced Program Manager of AI Data Operations who is passionate about delivering production-grade machine learning and analytics solutions. You'll partner across technical and program teams to manage an organization of data domain experts. Our work in decision automation powers a broad portfolio of Retail initiatives, all with the common goal of enriching and reimagining our customer experience.

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

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.