ML Research Engineer, Apple Services Engineering, Search

SummaryPosted: Oct 21, 2025Role Number:200627435-3337The Apple Services Engineering (ASE) team is one of the most exciting examples of Apple's long-held passion for combining art and technology. These are the people who power the App Store, Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books. And they do it on a massive scale, meeting Apple's high expectations with high performance to deliver a huge variety of entertainment in over 35 languages to more than 150 countries. These engineers build secure, end-to-end solutions. They develop the custom software used to process all the creative work, the tools that providers use to deliver that media, all the server-side systems, and the APIs for many Apple services. Thanks to Apple's unique integration of hardware, software, and services, engineers here partner to get behind a single unified vision. That vision always includes a deep commitment to strengthening Apple's privacy policy, one of Apple's core values. Although services are a bigger part of Apple's business than ever before, these teams remain small, nimble, and cross-functional, offering greater exposure to the array of opportunities here.DescriptionThe ASE Search team powers search for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, iTunes and more on iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, web browsers, 3rd party devices, and Windows. We're a diverse collective of problem solvers and doers, continually reimagining what's possible to help us all find what we love in new ways. Our engineers have created some tough acts to follow, and they continue to lead us to innovative breakthroughs. Because they're motivated not by what would be easy, but by what would be amazing. We are looking for extraordinary machine learning engineers and researchers to help build next-generation search features for Apple''s ground breaking devices and platforms. We are a key part of the Apple ecosystem.ResponsibilitiesYOU WILLHave a major impact on the way people search & discover on Apple devices worldwide.Think through complex research problems, simplify where necessary, invent when needed, to drive a principled vision from thought to reality.Present key technical and novel research work in public forums.Conduct AB Tests to ensure we objectively measure improvements.Be responsible for improving search recall and ranking.Use big data technology to evaluate and prioritize content discovery features.Collaborate with other world-class engineers, researchers, and statisticians to ensure that features and models are functioning at or above expected performance levels.Develop complex components in large scale distributed systems using high-performance programming languages (Java/Go/Rust/Scala/Python etc)Design & Implement solutions for automated unit and integration tests that enable continuous integration and delivery.Ensure successful deployment of features, code, data, and models to production.Support search on all devices (macOS, iOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS, Siri/HomePod, and more) globally in languages from Arabic to Russian and everything in between.Minimum QualificationsStrong industry experience with one or more of the following: search, classification, regression, recommendation systems, ranking systems, fraud detection, online advertising, or relatedMS or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related subject areaKnowledge of ML models using Transformers, Large Language Models, Reinforcement Learning, TensorFlow, and PyTorchPreferred QualificationsDeep understanding of search and information retrieval fundamentals including indexing, query understanding,2+ years of relevant industry experienceExperience in training and evaluating machine learning models using Python/PyTorch/TensorFlowExperience building big data pipelines with Scala, and SparkExperience in distributed computing, micro-services architecture, search and related technologies.Experience with GoLang is a plusFamiliarity with A/B experimentation and data/data-driven product developmentExperience leading technical aspects for complex multi-functional projectsPassion. Our customers love what we do at Apple and we want the same from our engineersPay & BenefitsAt 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 $139,500 and $210,100, 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.