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AIML - Site Lead & Lead Researcher, Foundation Models

Apple· Machine Learning and AI
Apply on company site
Hybrid (Seattle, WA)$205.4k - $374.3kfull-timePosted 6mo ago

About the role

Lead a strategic hub within Apple Foundation Models (AFM) to oversee a team of engineers and researchers focused on building and advancing foundation models optimized for Apple silicon and integrated into Apple products. Responsibilities span research direction, infrastructure, dataset creation, product collaboration, and talent development across multi-modal capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a close-knit and fast-growing team of world-class engineers and scientists tackling challenges in foundation models and deep learning (NLP, multi-modal understanding, knowledge integration)
  • Identify and develop novel applications of deep learning in Apple products while maintaining technical rigor and innovation
  • Own end-to-end execution of research initiatives from problem formulation through publication, product integration, and impact measurement
  • Foster collaboration across teams and stakeholder groups to translate research into customer-facing features
  • Drive organizational excellence through hiring, career development, and inclusive collaboration
  • Lead a team of researchers and engineers in developing cutting-edge foundation models and applying them to Apple products
  • Define and communicate clear research vision, roadmap, and success metrics aligned with Apple's product roadmap
  • Identify high-impact research opportunities balancing fundamental advances with near-term product applications
  • Conduct hands-on research on complex problems and participate in key technical decisions
  • Mentor team members on research techniques, software engineering, and career growth
  • Collaborate with product teams, hardware designers, and other AI groups to translate research into features
  • Publish research findings in top-tier venues and present at conferences
  • Build and maintain a culture of experimentation, learning, and inclusive collaboration
  • Drive recruitment and retention of top research talent
  • Provide leadership experience with evidence of growing talent and delivering results
  • Demonstrate deep learning expertise with strong publication record or proven product-scale applications
  • Possess expert-level programming in Python and DL frameworks (JAX, PyTorch, TensorFlow)
  • Hold PhD or equivalent practical experience; demonstrate research leadership and depth
  • Communicate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Advance on web-scale information retrieval and search systems, conversational agents, multi-modal perception, on-device learning with privacy protections
  • Mentor researchers who progress to senior roles
  • Collaborate across diverse teams and uphold responsible AI practices

Qualifications

  • Leadership experience: Demonstrated success leading technical teams or research groups, with evidence of growing talent and delivering results
  • Deep learning expertise: Strong publication record in relevant conferences or proven product-scale application
  • Programming proficiency: Expert-level Python and DL toolkits (JAX, PyTorch, TensorFlow)
  • Advanced degree or equivalent: PhD in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience
  • Communication skills: Ability to articulate complex concepts to executives, product teams, and technical audiences
  • Experience with web-scale information retrieval and search systems
  • Track record building human-like conversation agents and NLU systems
  • Expertise in multi-modal perception for existing products and future hardware
  • Background in on-device intelligence with strong privacy protections
  • Experience leading research teams through product commercialization
  • Mentoring researchers who progressed to senior roles
  • Collaborative cross-team work across organizational boundaries
  • Experience with responsible AI practices and ethics in ML

Skills

Required:Leadership and team managementDeep learningPythonDL frameworks

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
  • Retirement benefits
  • Discounted products and free services
  • Educational expense reimbursement (tuition)
  • Potential discretionary bonuses or commission and relocation eligibility
  • Stock programs eligibility (RSUs)
  • General Apple benefits details available via Apple Careers
Last updated Aug 14, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Apple

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