Job Details

Model Optimization Engineer (Algorithmic development)

Cupertino, California, United States

Software and Services

Summary

Posted: Apr 01, 2025

Weekly Hours: 40

Role Number: 200595533

Are you excited about the impact that optimizing deep learning models can have on enabling transformative user experiences? The field of ML compression research continues to grow rapidly and new techniques to perform quantization, pruning etc are increasingly available to be ported and adopted by the ML developer community looking to ship more models in a constrained memory budget and make them run faster. We are passionate about productizing and pushing the envelope of the state of the art model optimization algorithms, to further compress and speed up the thousands of deep learning models shipping as part of Apple internal and external apps, running locally on millions of Apple devices.

We work on a python library that implements a variety of training time and post training quantization algorithms and provides them to developers as simple to use, turnkey APIs, and ensures that these optimizations work seamlessly with the Core ML inference stack and Apple hardware. We are a team that collaborates heavily with researchers at Apple, ML software and hardware architecture teams and external/internal product teams shipping state of the art optimized models on Apple devices. If you are excited about making a big impact and playing a critical role in the design and development of a relatively new model optimization library, this is a great opportunity for you.

We are looking for someone who is highly self motivated and passionate about optimizing models for on device execution. If you have a proven track record of applied deep learning research in model compression, writing high quality code and shipping software, we strongly encourage you to apply

Description

We work on developing, prototyping and productizing state of the art algorithms for neural network model compression. Our algorithms are implemented using PyTorch and optimizations are geared towards efficient deployment via Core ML. We optimize models across domains, including NLP, vision, text and image generative models etc. Our APIs are available to Core ML users, both internal to Apple and external developers via the Core ML Tools optimization sub module.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement latest algorithms from research papers for model compression in the optimization library. Apply these to the models critical for deployment and test on various architectures such as diffusion models, large language models etc.

• Set up and debug training jobs, datasets, evaluation, performance benchmarking pipelines. Applying training time and post training compression techniques. Ability to ramp up quickly on new training code bases and run experiments.

• Understanding HW capabilities and incorporating those in optimization algorithm design / enhancement.

• Keep up with the latest AI research and present recent papers in the field of model compression to the team.

• Collaborate with researchers, hardware and software engineers to co-develop and discover ideas and optimizations for critical models to be deployed on specific hardware

• Run detailed experiments and ablation studies to profile algorithms on various models, tasks, across different model sizes.

• Improving model optimization documentation, writing tutorials and guides

• Self prioritize and adjust to changing priorities and asks

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of industry and/or research experience

• Highly proficient in Python programming

• Proficiency in at least one ML authoring framework, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, MLX

• Experience in the area of model compression and quantization techniques, specially in one of the optimization libraries for an ML framework (e.g. torch.ao).

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to design user friendly and maintainable APIs

• A deep understanding in the research area of model compression and quantization techniques.

• Experience in training, fine tuning, and optimizing neural network models

• Primary contributor to a model optimization/compression library.

• Good communication skills, including ability to communicate with cross-functional audiences

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 $175,800 and $312,200, 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. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)

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 seek to promote 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.