Apple

Staff ML Infrastructure Engineer

Apple • $175K — $210K *
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in machine learning infrastructure or distributed data systems
  • Experience in building and deploying large-scale data or ML infrastructure
  • Expertise in architecting production-level distributed data or ML systems
  • Proven track record in setting and delivering technical direction across teams
  • Strong Python skills plus knowledge of a systems language (Rust preferred)
  • Familiar with columnar and lakehouse data formats
  • Understanding of the end-to-end ML workflow and how data is consumed for training and inference.
  • Mastery of modern ML techniques with a focus on system design.

Responsibilities

  • Set the technical direction for the ML infrastructure platform
  • Own challenging system-level problems related to data ingestion and governance
  • Architect and deliver robust data solutions for multiple teams
  • Mentor and elevate engineering talent within the team
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to align on technical direction
  • Drive the implementation of high-throughput data loading processes
  • Ensure the design of user-friendly and highly available systems.

Benefits

  • Participation in a team acclaimed for its commitment to quality and privacy
  • Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology in AI and data systems
  • Chances to influence architectural decisions at an organizational level
  • Engagement with cross-functional teams promoting collaborative work culture
  • Professional development through mentoring opportunities.
Full Job Description
Description

The Apple AI Platform team gives Apple's ML engineers and researchers the data systems and large-scale compute they need to build and ship models at Apple's bar for quality and privacy. Our team owns the data layer that large-scale model training depends on: ingestion, versioning, lineage, and governance on the way in, and high-throughput data loading into the training fleet on the way out. As a Staff ML Infrastructure Engineer, you will set the technical direction for that platform and own its hardest system-level problems, the architecture other engineers and teams build on.

Minimum Qualifications

10+ years of work experience in machine learning infrastructure, distributed data systems, or a related field.

10+ years of experience building and shipping large-scale data or ML infrastructure and platforms in production.

Extensive experience architecting and delivering large-scale distributed data or ML infrastructure that multiple teams or products depend on in production.

A track record of setting technical direction and driving it to delivery across teams, not just within a single component.

Deep systems engineering: strong Python plus a systems language (Rust strongly preferred; C++ or Go acceptable), and hands-on performance engineering for I/O-bound workloads (Arrow, zero-copy, memory mapping, async I/O, high-throughput object storage).

Deep familiarity with columnar and lakehouse formats (Parquet, Iceberg, Delta, or Lance) and the judgment to choose between them at scale.

Strong working knowledge of the end-to-end ML workflow and how training and inference consume data, enough to architect data systems that serve them.

Familiarity with modern ML and generative techniques (transformers, diffusion, retrieval-augmented generation, fine-tuning) at the level needed to design for those consumers.

Demonstrated ability to design highly available, easy-to-use systems and to mentor and elevate the engineers around you.

Strong collaboration and communication, with the ability to align multiple teams around a technical direction.

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience defining data or ML platform architecture that was adopted across an organization.

Deep experience with the data-loading and dataset-access layer of a modern ML framework (PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow).

Distributed data-loading frameworks for ML: Ray Data, NVIDIA DALI, WebDataset, or Mosaic StreamingDataset.

Experience feeding data to GPU or TPU fleets at scale and keeping them saturated.

Data lineage and governance systems: DataHub, OpenLineage, Unity Catalog, or equivalent.

Contributions to or operational experience with Spark, Daft, Polars, or DuckDB internals.

Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).

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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