Machine Learning Director, Apple Services Engineering Search

As a Director in ASE Search, you will lead multiple product-focused teams across App Store, Music, Video, Books & Fitness. You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of high-usage search systems while simultaneously exploring revolutionary new experiences powered by GenAI.

Leading and mentoring a team of managers, and managing multiple high-performing engineering teams.

Driving innovation in media search across all Apple devices.

Overseeing the development and maintenance of custom catalogs, search, and indexing software.

Incorporating editorial understanding, embeddings, and generative AI technologies into search experiences.

Collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, including product management, business leadership, and executives.

Ensuring the delivery of high-uptime, critical search systems.

7+ years of experience in team management of high-performing engineers.

5+ years of experience managing other managers

Proven ability in cross-functional stakeholder management.

Experience with commonly used systems programming languages (e.g., Go, Java, C/C++, Rust).

Demonstrated experience in delivering high-uptime critical systems in challenging environments.

Advanced degree in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent work experience.

Deep understanding of search technologies and algorithms.

Experience with generative AI and its applications in search.

Strong background in building and scaling distributed systems.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Proven ability to lead and motivate engineering teams.

Experience working with large-scale data sets.

A passion for creating innovative and user-friendly search experiences.

Apple Services Engineering is the team behind some of the best experiences on the planet. When you find the perfect app, listen to the perfect track for your mood, learn something new in a podcast or book, or just sit back with your favorite movie, ASE has you covered. Finding these items in whatever way the user wants to search isn’t as simple as it might seem: “I had a friend was a big baseball player” is a query for Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days.

ASE Search is advancing the state of the art in media search, over every media type, on every device. Whether you’re typing on iPhone, querying Siri, using Apple TV, or a full MacOS desktop, we will find the item you’re looking for. To do this, we’ve constructed custom catalogs, written custom search and indexing software, incorporating our editorial understanding, created embeddings, and leveraged the latest generative AI technologies.

At the center of this are our product-focused Search teams. This senior leadership position will lead multiple teams running the spectrum from App Store, Music, and Video to Books & Fitness. We’re looking for an engineering visionary, who can both handle the complex operations of some of the most used search systems in the work while also thinking about revolutionary new experiences in the world of GenAI.

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 $305,000 and $487,200, 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

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

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

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Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.