Senior Software Engineer, AI Tools - Special Projects

Apple's next generation of intelligent experiences requires new ways for engineers, designers, animators, roboticists, and researchers to explore, visualize, and shape how AI systems behave. We're looking for a senior tools engineer who can build the applications, pipelines, and creative workflows that make this possible - from interactive data visualization tools to content creation utilities, user-study data collection systems, and annotation platforms.

You will develop the software that empowers Apple teams to understand complex, multi-modal data, prototype intelligent behaviors, and craft delightful user experiences. Your work will directly influence how Apple builds, evaluates, and iterates on AI-driven features across devices and platforms.

Description

Our team works at the intersection of hardware, software, and intelligence. We design the systems, infrastructure, and tools that enable Apple's next generation of AI-driven experiences - from on-device middleware and distributed inference platforms to large-scale data pipelines, interactive analytics, and advanced developer tooling. We collaborate closely with hardware, robotics, ML, design, and platform teams to build end-to-end solutions that are performant, intuitive, and deeply integrated into Apple's ecosystem. The work is hands-on, highly cross-disciplinary, and central to shaping how Apple's intelligent systems evolve.

Responsibilities:

Design and build interactive tools for data visualization, analysis, introspection, and scenario replay across multi-modal datasets

Develop content creation and workflow tools for animators, designers, and roboticists, including standalone macOS/iOS/visionOS applications or integrations/plugins for 3D authoring environments

Create data collection systems that support user studies, multi-device interactions, and experiment workflows

Develop annotation and labeling tools that support large-scale dataset creation and evaluation

Architect scalable applications that interact with real-time data pipelines and cloud-backed services

Define and refine creative and technical workflows, enabling teams across product development to ideate, experiment, and iterate more effectively

Work closely with AI, robotics, design, and platform teams to gather requirements, propose architectural approaches, and deliver scalable solutions

Participate in architecture reviews, establish best practices, and help ensure quality, maintainability, and performance

Prototype novel ideas, explore emerging technologies, and guide the evolution of Apple's AI tooling ecosystem

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with 3D animation workflows, including rigged characters, blendshape systems, or runtime animation frameworks (e.g. RealityKit or game-engine animation systems)

Experience with 3D content creation pipelines and familiarity with common formats such as USD

Knowledge of modern rendering techniques, including Metal

Experience developing connected applications backed by large-scale data storage and cloud services

Experience with data visualization, data mining, or analytics tooling

Familiarity with creative pipelines in animation, simulation, robotics, or game development

Experience building annotation tools, labeling systems, or user-study data pipelines

Experience with game engines or spatial computing environments (e.g. Unity, Unreal, or RealityKit)

Understanding of interaction paradigms for spatial interfaces or AR/VR workflows

Minimum Qualifications

Proven experience developing high-quality tools with intuitive workflows for technical or creative professionals

Proficiency in Swift, SwiftUI, Objective-C, or C++, with strong experience developing for macOS and iOS (visionOS experience strongly preferred)

Experience developing software in Python, including scripting, pipelines, or backend integrations

Experience working with 3D content creation tools or environments (e.g. Maya, Unity, or Unreal)

Understanding of system architecture, including multi-device workflows, real-time data handling, and cloud-connected applications

Strong grasp of Apple development tools and frameworks

Ability to design modular, maintainable architectures and decompose complex requirements into practical, high-impact features

Demonstrated success collaborating with cross-functional teams

Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and communication skills

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related technical field, and 5+ years of industry experience

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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.