Apple

Design Engineer - App Store & Games Product Design Team

Apple$135K — $160K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in software engineering, with expertise in iOS/macOS (Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit)
  • Strong skills in web technologies, particularly HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/TypeScript (React or similar)
  • Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure tools like TestFlight
  • Experience architecting codebases for collaboration, including documentation and structure
  • Integration experience with APIs, backend services, and data pipelines
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools and their impact on workflows
  • Ability to bridge design and engineering communication effectively

Responsibilities

  • Architect and structure code projects to enable designer collaboration
  • Manage version control and collaboration workflows effectively
  • Distribute prototypes via TestFlight and internal channels
  • Ensure maintainability and organization of engineering outputs
  • Transform prototypes from proof-of-concept to robust, distributable assets
  • Collaborate with engineering teams on technical standards and handovers
  • Stay updated on AI-assisted development tools and evaluate new technologies

Benefits

  • Significant autonomy to shape technical standards and workflows
  • Collaborative environment with both design and engineering teams
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI-assisted development
  • Potential for continuous professional development in both design and engineering domains
  • Contributions can directly impact production builds and user experience
Full Job Description
We are seeking an exceptional Design Engineer who operates confidently at the intersection of design craft and software engineering. You will join us at a pivotal moment. AI-assisted development has fundamentally changed what our team can build and how fast we can build it. This is a new kind of role for our team: a deeply technical builder embedded within our design organization, responsible for the engineering infrastructure, tooling, and workflows that enable our designers to build and ship production-quality prototypes. You will work alongside technically-minded designers who will be your closest collaborators, and define how our team works with code.

Description

Our team has moved beyond static specs and documentation. We build functional, code-based prototypes in Swift and web technologies, and in some cases our prototypes are adopted directly into shipping builds. We are looking for an engineer who can scale these practices, maintain what we build, and establish robust infrastructure for collaboration, distribution, and handover.

This role spans two technical domains: web-based tooling and backend experiences that power native Swift/iOS front ends, and native iOS/macOS prototype work in Swift and SwiftUI. You will be expected to operate confidently across both.

You will architect and structure code projects so that designers can contribute effectively. You will manage version control and collaboration workflows, distribute prototypes through TestFlight and internal platforms, and ensure that what we build is maintainable, well-organized, and ready for engineering adoption. You will take working prototypes and elevate them from proof-of-concept to structured, distributable artifacts that production teams can integrate with confidence.

While this role sits within the design organization, you will work in close partnership with our engineering teams - facilitating handover, aligning on technical standards, and in some cases contributing directly to production repositories.

You will stay at the frontier of AI-assisted development, evaluating new tools and helping the team maintain its technical edge.

This is a senior, independent role. You will have significant autonomy to define technical standards, establish workflows, and shape the future of how design and engineering collaborate across our products.

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong proficiency in iOS/macOS development (Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit)

Equally strong proficiency with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, React or similar)

Strong proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and developer infrastructure including TestFlight, code signing, and build distribution

Experience architecting codebases for collaboration - establishing patterns, documentation, and structure that enable others to build on top of your work

Experience integrating with APIs, backend services, and data pipelines

Demonstrated fluency with AI-assisted development tools, with a clear perspective on how these tools are changing engineering workflows

Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate between design and engineering contexts with clarity

Experience working within or closely alongside design teams, with a genuine appreciation for design craft, visual quality, and interaction detail

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Core Animation, Core Graphics, Metal, or advanced motion and animation frameworks

Familiarity with machine learning pipelines, personalization systems, or recommendation engines, and the ability to interface with these systems to improve user-facing experiences

Experience setting up and managing internal tools, developer platforms, or prototype distribution systems

Previous experience mentoring or enabling non-engineers in technical workflows

Experience working in environments where design and engineering boundaries are intentionally blurred

Familiarity with spec-driven development practices

A deep understanding of the Apple design aesthetic, Human Interface Guidelines, and platform conventions

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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