Principal / Distinguished Engineer - AI, Search & Knowledge Platforms

In this role, you will drive LLM-based question answering, personal content search, and Apple Intelligence features to provide users with concise, accurate, and grounded information to help them complete their tasks quickly on Apple devices. You are expected to take advantage of the Apple ecosystem, which blends cutting-edge hardware, software, and strong privacy/security guarantees, integrate this with the phenomenal power of Reinforcement Learning for post-training of generative models, and then deliver truly delightful user experiences that are uniquely Apple. You will be responsible for devising the generative AI technology vision and strategy, developing advanced RL algorithms and synthetic/human data pipelines, evangelizing it, executing the plan, improving the quality of LLM-based models across multiple Apple Intelligence features, and delivering the end-user experience. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of organizational partners across foundation modeling, design, product and marketing, software engineering, and foundation modeling to impact billions of Apple users worldwide profoundly.

10+ years of R&D experience leading engineering/applied research/ML experiences in search,
natural language processing/understanding, Conversational AI.
MS or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning with a specialty in reinforcement learning,
or a related field.

Deep expertise in the field of information retrieval, machine learning, and natural language processing
processing and understanding, and in particular, reinforcement learning-based post-training on
LLM models, reward modeling, RLHF, RLAIF, Chain-of-thought, and agentic AI R&D.
Strong product intuition and ownership
Excellent communication skills
Growth mindset and ability to learn new technologies

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 strengthening each other’s ideas. That happens because each of us believes we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better!

In the Siri and Information Intelligence organization, we work hard to bring the best user experiences powered by Apple Intelligence. One central part of the user experience is understanding the user's personal context and information-seeking needs: this means the experience understands the user deeply (their content, their behaviors, their preferences, etc.), and uses the deep understanding to help users accomplish things in an intelligent, intuitive, and private way, as well as delivering the most accurate, fresh, and rich experience to satisfy their information needs. We also develop generative AI-based models and systems to power Apple Intelligence features, which simplify users' lives, make them more productive, and enable them to consume all the information delivered on Apple devices more effectively and efficiently with less effort.

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 $201,300 and $367,400, 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

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

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.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.

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 $212,000 and $386,300, 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

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

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.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.