Apple

Applied LLM Research Engineer

Apple$130K — $180K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in CS/EE/Physics/Statistics or Bachelor's/Master's plus 2 years of relevant experience
  • Strong foundations in machine learning and large language models
  • Familiarity with post-training techniques like SFT and RLHF
  • Experience with training frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow
  • Active contributor to large-scale codebases with emphasis on maintainability
  • Experience using AI-assisted development tools for code and research workflow acceleration

Responsibilities

  • Innovate and develop technology that integrates foundation models into user workflows
  • Build, run, and refine training and evaluation pipelines
  • Drive experimentation and iteration to enhance user experience
  • Explore, design, and implement emerging ML techniques
  • Contribute to all phases of model development and improvement
  • Define and refine features expanding Apple Intelligence's capabilities

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge generative AI technology
  • Collaborative and ambitious team environment
  • Exposure to cross-functional partners in design and user experience
  • Contribution to products used by millions globally
  • Commitment to individual creativity and diversity in innovation
Full Job Description
We are looking for Applied LLM Research Engineer to innovate and develop technology that brings powerful foundation models directly into everyday user workflows, across languages, writing styles, and personal context, in a privacy-preserving way. You will build, run, and refine the training and evaluation pipelines that define our slice of Apple Intelligence, driving the experimentation and iteration that makes the user experience feel magical. You will join an ambitious, collaborative team in a unique position to bridge the gap between cutting-edge ML research and features used by millions. You will work closely with cross-functional partners in human interfaces, user studies, internationalization, and system integration. You are not just developing technology; you are crafting experiences that feel like magic to the end user.

As an Applied LLM Research Engineer, you will enable next-generation AI applications using Apple Foundation Models. You will sit at the intersection of cutting-edge research and product reality, bridging the gap between raw model performance and the nuanced needs of Apple customers worldwide. You will explore, design, and implement emerging techniques, ensuring alignment with product goals, privacy requirements, and performance metrics. You will contribute to all phases of model development: problem formulation, experimentation, evaluation, fine-tuning, and continuous improvement. Finally, you will help define and refine new features that expand both the depth of Apple Intelligence's capabilities and the breadth of its support for our global customer base.

PhD in CS/EE/Physics/Statistics/etc.; or Bachelor's or Master's in CS/EE/Physics/Statistics/etc combined with 2 years of relevant experience Strong foundations in ML & LLM, including core principles, techniques and practical applications Familiarity with post-training techniques such as SFT, RLHF, data synthesis, Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning Familiarity with training frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, or equivalent

Experience with fine-tuning and deploying large ML models for real world products Experience curating, filtering, and synthesizing high-quality training datasets at scale Experience developing and training models for agentic workflows, tool calling and advanced reasoning techniques Experience with training LLMs with RLVR, reward modeling, environment design Familiarity with training for computer-use capabilities Familiarity with designing hardware-efficient model architectures, optimizing inference latency, and implementing advanced decoding strategies, speculative decoding Active contributor to complex, large-scale codebases, with a strong emphasis on writing high-quality, maintainable, and well-tested code. Experience using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Claude, Copilot, or similar) to accelerate experimentation, code development, and research workflows Excellent programming and communication skills

About Apple

Apple is a corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple provides many products and services, including iPhone; iPad; iPod; Mac; Apple TV; a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications; the iOS and OS X operating systems; iCloud; and accessories, service, and support offerings. It sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, direct sales force and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers to the consumer and also sells third-party iPhone, iPad, Mac and iPod compatible products, including application software and accessories through its online and retail stores. Introduced in 1984, the Macintosh was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). That feature and others such as an improved floppy drive design and a low-cost hard drive that made data retrieval faster helped Apple cultivate a reputation for innovation. Apple was named as the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world from 2008 to 2012 by the Fortune magazine. The company was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Gerald Wayne on April 1, 1976, and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Apple Careers

Join Apple, a place where extraordinary people gather to do their best work. Our ever-expanding global team is at the forefront of innovation and leadership in the tech industry. At Apple, we're not just building products—we're crafting the kind of wonder that revolutionizes entire industries. It's the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Work You’ll Do Embark on a journey with Apple’s market-leading team to help some of the world’s most influential companies navigate their path to digital mastery with cutting-edge technology and services. Transform industries and touch lives with your unique ideas at Apple. Here, you’ll lead through a unique position at the intersection of technology, creativity, and robust industry expertise. Collaborate with a global team of professionals who are at the top of their game in technology and design. Apple isn’t just a company, it’s a community of innovators and passionate thinkers. Introducing the Apple Innovation and Leadership Initiative We are building a market-leading team to drive our efforts in delivering groundbreaking solutions and services. At Apple, job opportunities are abundant, offering you the chance to explore diverse roles from engineering to marketing, all designed to empower your career growth. Do Innovative Work Join the largest group of creative and technical experts in the world—professionals dedicated to redefining what’s possible through technology and innovation. Deliver targeted solutions through a depth and breadth of expertise that’s unmatched, driving forward our commitment to excellence and leadership in every project we undertake. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in a wide range of projects utilizing Apple’s technology and resources. Harness the unparalleled capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development that only Apple can offer. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with limitless opportunities at Apple. Go as far as your ambition takes you with unmatched training, development, and certification support. Explore Discover how Apple is leading the way in tech innovation: [With iOS] Businesses can streamline operations and enhance customer interactions... READ MORE Smart home technology integration that sets the standard for convenience and security... READ MORE The Apple Experience Our combined service capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development help clients overcome challenges and lead transformation in their industries. Clients worldwide look to Apple for new strategies and solutions that drive growth and innovation in the digital era. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you’re seeking a professional role, an internship, or a leadership position, Apple offers a variety of employment opportunities. SEARCH APPLE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Apple, a company committed to diversity, innovation, and leadership. Explore job opportunities, employment benefits, and the culture of growth and innovation at Apple. Prepare your resume, hone your interview skills, and ready yourself for a career at one of the most prestigious companies in the world. Join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Learn more about Apple
Size
154,000 employees
Market Cap
$2,074.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$63.9 billion
Founded
1976
5 Year Trend
+11.5%
Revenue
$294.1 billion
NASDAQ

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