February 8, 2025

Senior Machine Learning Applied Researcher

Senior • On-site

$135,400 - $250,600/yr

Seattle, WA

Summary

Posted:
Role Number:200590558
Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something! The Commerce & Growth Intelligence team at Apple Services Engineering is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge innovations that shape the entire lifecycle of a user’s journey—from account creation to marketing, personalized offers, subscription ranking, churn modeling, lifetime value optimization, and beyond. We’re solving problems of unprecedented scale and complexity, leveraging the latest advancements in machine learning and AI, including large language models (LLMs). Our team thrives in a dynamic and collaborative environment, where impactful ideas become transformative products and experiences for millions of customers worldwide.

Description

We are seeking a talented and experienced Senior Applied Researcher to lead and contribute to high-visibility projects. This role requires deep expertise in machine learning, a passion for research and development, and the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to cross-functional teams and partners. If you are a self-motivated, energetic individual with a track record of delivering impactful results, we want to hear from you. In this role, you will: - Design and implement advanced machine learning models to optimize user experiences across Apple’s ecosystem, including App Store, Subscription services, and marketing campaigns. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into technical solutions. - Lead research and development initiatives, including LLM fine-tuning and the exploration of emerging AI technologies. - Analyze large-scale datasets to uncover actionable insights, improve model performance, and drive business impact. - Develop and evaluate prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and production-ready solutions. - Communicate findings and recommendations effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership and business partners. - Contribute to the team’s research goals by authoring publications and filing patents in alignment with Apple’s innovation standards. - Mentor junior researchers and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the team.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
  • Advanced expertise in machine learning, deep learning, and data mining techniques.
  • Proficiency in Python and/or Scala for building, training, and deploying machine learning models for complex, high-dimensional systems.
  • Experience with large-scale distributed data processing frameworks such as Spark or Hadoop.
  • Strong programming skills and experience with production-level algorithm development.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts and results to diverse audiences.
  • Highly self-motivated and results-driven, with a proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with reinforcement learning and advanced optimization techniques.
  • Experience with personalization systems, recommendation engines, or ranking algorithms.
  • Strong understanding of state-of-the-art LLMs and deployment for real-world applications.
  • Knowledge of marketing analytics, user segmentation, and customer lifetime value modeling.
  • Prior experience in payment science, subscriptions, or App Store analytics.
  • A strong history of paper publications in well-known journals or top-tier conferences in machine learning and AI.

Pay & Benefits

  • At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $135,400 and $250,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

    Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.

    Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

  • Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.