Staff ML Researcher, Foundation Models & Responsible AI

Staff ML Researcher, Foundation Models & Responsible AI

Join us as we build world-class groundbreaking products for our customers!

The Responsible AI and Safety team is looking to hire a tech lead with a strong track record in Applied Research who is passionate about ML and foundation models with a focus on responsibility, fairness, and safety. In this role, you will lead the research and application of ML methods for technologies that power breakthrough user experiences while upholding Apple's values, privacy, and quality standards.

Description

This role will be highly multifunctional. You will collaborate closely with top machine learning researchers and engineers, software engineers, and design teams to develop and deliver groundbreaking solutions for Apple products. We believe that the most exciting problems in machine learning research arise at the intersection of emerging technologies and real-world use cases. This is also where the most critical breakthroughs come from. As a researcher, you will:

• Define and deliver responsible machine learning technologies
• Develop methods and frameworks to train and evaluate foundation models with responsibility and safety in mind
• Research and advance safety alignment and model robustness methods for foundation models
• Research and develop mitigations and safeguards to ensure safe deployment of LLM’s in Apple products
• Advocate for scientific and engineering excellence: You will contribute to the architecture and high-level structure of Apple's AI-powered platform and features
• Work multi-functionally on a diverse set of challenging problems and collaborate with extraordinary software engineers, machine learning engineers, and researchers to impact the future of Apple products
• Work closely with product and partner teams to drive requirement definition, technical quality of deliverables, and execution

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong research or product deployment record in areas related to responsible AI, with publications in top ML venues (e.g., ACL, CHI, CVPR, EMNLP, FAccT, ICML, Interspeech, NeurIPS, UIST, etc.)
• Strong research fundamentals, machine learning principles, and development methodologies around LLMs, foundation models, and diffusion models
• Proficient programming skills in Python and deep learning toolkits (e.g. JAX, PyTorch, Tensorflow)
• Work with highly-sensitive content with exposure to offensive and controversial content

Preferred Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related fields or an equivalent qualification acquired through other avenues
• Experience with LLM training and safety alignment
• Strong organizational and operational skills working with large, multi-functional, and diverse teams

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 $212,000 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.

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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.

Key skills/competency

• Responsible AI
• Foundation Models
• Machine Learning Research
• LLMs (Large Language Models)
• Model Robustness
• Safety Alignment
• Python Programming
• Deep Learning Frameworks (JAX, PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Applied Research