Apple

Machine Learning Engineer - Camera & Photos, Creative Foundations

Apple$120K — $160K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • MS or PhD in relevant fields such as Computer Science or Machine Learning, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Experience in machine learning and computer vision, demonstrated through a portfolio of projects or research.
  • Deep understanding of modern ML techniques including transformers and diffusion models.
  • Proficiency in ML frameworks like PyTorch, with experience in the model lifecycle from exploration to deployment.
  • Experience with image understanding tasks such as semantic segmentation and scene recognition.
  • Strong software engineering background.

Responsibilities

  • Pioneer novel approaches to image understanding and intelligent system design.
  • Rapidly prototype high-potential ideas based on recent ML advancements.
  • Translate cutting-edge research into shippable user features.
  • Leverage model introspection techniques to understand model behavior.
  • Collaborate with product designers and software engineers to create intuitive systems.
  • Contribute to the development of camera and photo experiences that engage users.

Benefits

  • Collaborative environment valuing diverse perspectives and research rigor.
  • Opportunity to work at the intersection of ML research and user experience.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and ML advancements.
  • Engagement with aesthetics and creative domains related to photography.
Full Job Description
We're looking for a Machine Learning Engineer and Researcher to join the Creative Foundations team within Camera & Photos. In this role, you won't just implement models - you'll invent them. You'll work at the intersection of cutting-edge ML research and the features that hundreds of millions of people use every day to capture, relive, and share their most meaningful moments.

This is a role for someone who gets excited about turning a theoretical breakthrough into a magical user experience. You'll bridge the gap between what's possible in research and what's shippable in product - translating state-of-the-art advances in image understanding into intelligent systems that feel intuitive and delightful. We're especially drawn to those with a passion for photography and experience with the visual and creative domains that make this work so meaningful.

Description

As a Machine Learning Engineer on the Creative Foundations team, you will pioneer novel approaches to image understanding - designing architectures, training strategies, and intelligent systems that push the boundaries of what our camera and photo experiences can do. You'll continuously survey state-of-the-art research, rapidly prototype high-potential ideas, and translate them into shippable features - while also leveraging model introspection and interpretability techniques to deeply understand why models behave the way they do and guide decisions accordingly. You'll collaborate across disciplines with product designers, software engineers, and aesthetic science researchers in an environment that values diverse perspectives, research rigor, and agility in an ever-evolving ML landscape.

Minimum Qualifications

MS or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field - or equivalent practical experience demonstrating deep ML expertise.

Experience in machine learning, computer vision, or a related field (academic or industry), with a strong portfolio of building and shipping models or publishing research.

Deep understanding of modern ML architectures and techniques - including (but not limited to) transformers, diffusion models, contrastive learning, multi-modal models, and efficient neural network design and optimization.

Proficiency in ML frameworks such as PyTorch, and comfort working across the full model lifecycle from research exploration using large-scale data to production deployment.

Experience with image understanding tasks such as semantic segmentation, scene recognition, image captioning, visual question answering, image aesthetics, or image retrieval.

Strong fundamental software engineering background

Preferred Qualifications

A track record of creative problem-solving - taking an ambiguous challenge and finding an elegant, sometimes unconventional, ML-driven solution.

A genuine passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible with machine learning and a deep curiosity for how intelligent systems can transform everyday experiences.

Published research at top-tier venues (CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, NeurIPS, ICML, SIGGRAPH, etc.) is valued - but so is a strong portfolio of impactful shipped features or open-source contributions.

Comfort navigating ambiguity and working in a fast-moving R&D environment where the problem definition evolves alongside the solution.

A personal connection to photography or visual storytelling - whether through a creative practice, a deep appreciation for the craft, or simply an obsession with what makes a great image.

Specific computer vision experience in the areas of Semantic Image Understanding, Diffusion for Image Generation, Style Transfer, Computational Photography, Image Enhancement (Super-Resolution, Eenoising, etc.), Aesthetic Quality Assessment, Personalization (Few-Shot Adaptation)

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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