Apple

Staff Machine Learning Engineer - Ads Signals Intelligence & Information Retrieval

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

Qualifications

  • 4+ years experience in machine learning or applied research, focusing on retrieval, ranking, NLP, or content understanding.
  • Deep understanding of information retrieval, semantic search, and query-document matching.
  • Strong experience with LLM fine-tuning, knowledge graph construction, and entity-centric modeling.
  • Experience with multimodal models, including text, vision, metadata, or audio representations.
  • Proficient in Python and familiar with ML frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • Background in statistical modeling, optimization, and ML theory.
  • Ad tech experience in auction modeling, targeting, attribution, or creative optimization is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Develop ML-driven signal platforms for retrieval, prediction, and relevance in Apple's ad ecosystem.
  • Build content understanding systems for scalable ad retrieval and creative ranking.
  • Design large-scale infrastructure for near real-time signal updates.
  • Enhance privacy-aware decision-making throughout the ad delivery stack.
  • Extract structured intelligence from unstructured data using LLM fine-tuning and semantic search.
  • Contribute to Apple's advanced machine learning systems focused on high-quality, privacy-centric signals.
  • Shape ad ranking and relevance systems through high-impact ML solutions.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work at the forefront of cutting-edge technology like LLMs and semantic search.
  • Impactful role within a prestigious organization known for privacy-centric advertising.
  • Collaboration with a specialized team focused on innovative signal understanding.
  • Access to resources and support for professional development in machine learning.
Full Job Description
Apple's Ads Signals Intelligence team is seeking a hands-on and experienced Machine Learning Engineer to develop the next generation of ML-driven signal platforms that power retrieval, prediction, and relevance across Apple's advertising ecosystem-including the App Store and Apple News. This role focuses on building content understanding systems and large-scale infrastructure capable of delivering near real-time signal updates, enabling smarter, privacy-aware decision-making throughout the ad delivery stack. This role focuses on developing rich semantic signals from a variety of sources-including queries, creatives, metadata, and user interactions-to support scalable ad retrieval, creative ranking, and marketplace optimization. You'll work at the forefront of LLM fine-tuning, knowledge graph construction, semantic search, and multimodal representation learning to extract structured intelligence from unstructured data. While ad tech knowledge is a strong bonus, the core of the role is building high-quality, privacy-centric signals that fuel some of Apple's most advanced machine learning systems. As part of the Ads Signals Intelligence team, you'll be shaping the foundation of Apple's ad ranking and relevance systems through world-class signal understanding. You'll work on problems at the cutting edge of retrieval, multimodal learning, LLMs, and content intelligence-while contributing to Apple's mission to deliver high-performing, privacy-first advertising experiences at scale. 4+ years of experience in machine learning or applied research, with a focus on retrieval, ranking, NLP, or content understanding Deep understanding of information retrieval, semantic search, and query-document matching Strong hands-on experience with LLM fine-tuning, knowledge graph construction, and entity-centric modeling Experience working with multimodal models, including text, vision, metadata, or audio-based representations Proficiency in Python, and experience with one or more of ML frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow Background in statistical modeling, optimization, and ML theory Exposure to ad tech domains such as auction modeling, targeting, attribution, or creative optimization is a plus Demonstrated ability to deliver high-impact ML solutions in production environments Bachelor's in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Information Retrieval, NLP, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in machine learning or applied research, with a focus on retrieval, ranking, NLP, or content understanding MS or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Information Retrieval, NLP, or a related field.

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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