Job Details

AI Architect

Cupertino, California, United States

Machine Learning and AI

Summary

Posted: Sep 16, 2025

Role Number: 200621043-0836

The Virtualized Infrastructure & Service Delivery (VISD) organization delivers amazing, low-friction infrastructure that is loved by customers. The team is responsible for building, deploying, and maintaining foundational platforms inside our Apple data centers, including compute with virtualized instances, disaggregated block storage, object storage, and containerization platforms like Kubernetes. VISD also owns the operational aspects of our infrastructure including fleet management, capacity management, quality of service, and live streaming operations.

Description

Join Apple’s VISD team as a Senior AI Architect, where you'll be at the forefront of delivering transformative AI infrastructure & AI in infrastructure. You will play a pivotal role in defining and driving the roadmap for Apple Data Center Platforms and Infrastructure. This will include building foundational capabilities such as orchestration, model configuration, prompt tooling, RAG integration, and inference optimization enabling teams across Apple to rapidly create scalable, context-aware GenAI solutions.
You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams of innovative software engineers, product managers, and engineering leaders to continuously evolve the platform for performance, flexibility, and ease of use.

Responsibilities

• Innovate, research, diagnose, optimize, or prototype features and solutions for key business initiatives

• Provide technical advice to management

• Define and drive the technical vision, roadmap, and strategy for Apple Data Platform’s GenAI offerings

• Inspire teams to innovate, invent, and implement scalable solutions for complex data problems

• Collaborate with engineering, product, and operations teams across Apple to ensure effective adoption of GenAI capabilities in high-impact workflows

• Partner with stakeholders to build reusable AI agents that enhance productivity, automate reasoning tasks, and integrate securely with internal systems and tools

• Mentor new hires and fellow engineers, fostering growth in technical depth and platform mindset

• Establish best practices and processes that ensure engineering excellence, operational sustainability, and a seamless developer experience

• Promote a healthy, inclusive, and innovation-driven team culture with a focus on experimentation, learning, and long-term platform impact

Minimum Qualifications

• 15+ years of software development experience in distributed systems and/or ML/AI

• 8+ years of experience as an Architect, guiding teams through complex design decisions and setting high benchmarks for code quality, performance, and scalability

• Understanding of gen AI landscape, and large language models (LLMs) and their applications, including inferencing, embedding, RAG, and knowledge base integration

• Strong programming skills in Python, Java, or similar languages, with an emphasis on AI/ML systems development and platform engineering

• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence product development through a combination of technical leadership and user-centered thinking

• Passion for operational excellence, automation, and delivering scalable, developer-friendly AI infrastructure

• B.S, M.S. or PhD Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or equivalent work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bonus if you have experience in the following areas:

• Expertise in AWS Cloud

• Experience in fine-tuning and customizing foundation models to improve task-specific performance and domain alignment

• Hands on experience in using Kubernetes as orchestration layer

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 $257,400 and $386,300, 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.