Apple

Director of Algorithms, Ads Engineering

Apple • $180K — $220K *
Consumer Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of professional experience in Machine Learning, Applied Science, or Software Engineering with a focus on advertising or recommendation systems
  • 10+ years of experience in engineering leadership managing teams and senior contributors
  • Deep expertise in signals processing, candidate matching, predictive modeling, and ranking
  • Experience with modern ML techniques, including embeddings and reinforcement learning
  • Extensive experience in deploying high-throughput, low-latency ML systems in production
  • Exceptional communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and strategy articulation
  • Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive team culture aligned with Apple's values

Responsibilities

  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and applied scientists in developing advanced algorithms
  • Set the vision and roadmap for the advertising intelligence engine
  • Solve complex algorithmic problems under privacy constraints
  • Build and maintain high-performing retrieval, ranking, auction, and optimization systems
  • Collaborate across teams to deliver solutions that respect user privacy and empower advertisers
  • Communicate technical strategies to diverse stakeholders
  • Cultivate a collaborative and innovative team environment

Benefits

  • Collaborative work culture that values diverse perspectives
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and resources
  • Strong commitment to user privacy in all advertising solutions
  • Participation in high-impact and meaningful projects
Full Job Description
As the Director of Algorithms within Ads Engineering, you will lead the applied scientists and ML engineers who build and scale that intelligence: state-of-the-art retrieval, ranking, auction, and budget optimization systems that determine relevance, efficiency, and outcomes at massive scale. This is a role for a leader who wants to solve hard algorithmic problems that matter -- where privacy constraints sharpen the work rather than limit it, and where craft and rigor are the standard. As the Director of Algorithms within Ads Engineering, you will be the driving force behind the intelligence engine that powers Apple's advertising ecosystem. You will lead a multidisciplinary organization of engineering managers, applied scientists, ML engineers, and systems engineers -- setting the vision, shaping the roadmap, and delivering at the intersection of cutting-edge research and production-scale engineering. Success in this role requires a leader who approaches problem-solving with tact, values diverse perspectives, and builds strong, trusting partnerships across organizational boundaries to deliver solutions that respect our users and empower our advertisers. 15+ years of professional experience in Machine Learning, Applied Science, or Software Engineering, with a strong focus on performance advertising, search, or recommendation systems. 10+ years of engineering leadership experience, including a proven track record of managing other managers as well as senior/staff-level individual contributors. Deep technical expertise across the entire algorithms funnel, including signals processing, candidate matching, predictive modeling (e.g., CTR/CVR), and ranking. Experience with modern techniques using embeddings, transformer architectures, distillation methods, and reinforcement learning based methods. Extensive experience in algorithm engineering, with a strong understanding of how to build, deploy, and scale high-throughput, low-latency ML systems in production environments. Exceptional communication and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build consensus, navigate complex cross-functional relationships, and articulate technical strategies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. A demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and highly collaborative team culture that empowers individuals to do their best work. Strong alignment with Apple's core values, particularly regarding user privacy and delivering premium user experiences. Experience with privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) or building ML systems under strict privacy constraints. Experience with Ads technology and domain. Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, or a related quantitative field, accompanied by relevant industry experience.

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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