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Research Scientist / Engineer, Foundation Model Evaluation

Cupertino, California, United StatesSoftware and Services

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Summary

Posted: Mar 25, 2026

Role Number:200652910-0836

We build frontier foundation models that power intelligent experiences at Apple. Our team works across the full training lifecycle: including pre-training foundation models, and developing mid-training approaches that bridge general capability and task-specific performance. What makes our work distinct is that we're engineering models specifically for Apple silicon and optimized for experiences that are private, personal, and deeply integrated into the OS. We're solving frontier problems in reward modeling to resist reward hacking, handling sparse and delayed rewards in agentic settings, and aligning models reliably across the spectrum from open-ended creative tasks to precise, action-taking workflows. If you're drawn to hard problems where the research and the product are inseparable, this is the team.

Description

This is a hands-on role focused on the models that power Apple products used daily by over a
billion people. You will design evaluation systems where the outcome is not just a score, but an
actionable signal - one that drives model improvement and predicts real user experience.
Working alongside model training and product teams, you will close the loop between evaluation
and improvement.
Our work spans three areas:
• Frontier capability assessment: benchmarking against the state of the art in reasoning,
code, knowledge, and agentic workflows
• Product-aligned evaluation: measuring model quality in ways that reflect real user
experience
• Evaluation-to-training integration: feeding actionable insights back into the model
development cycle
You may focus on one area or work across multiple, depending on your background and
interests.
We build frontier foundation models that power intelligent experiences at Apple. Our team works across the full training lifecycle: including pre-training foundation models, and developing mid-training approaches that bridge general capability and task-specific performance. What makes our work distinct is that we're engineering models specifically for Apple silicon and optimized for experiences that are private, personal, and deeply integrated into the OS. We're solving frontier problems in reward modeling to resist reward hacking, handling sparse and delayed rewards in agentic settings, and aligning models reliably across the spectrum from open-ended creative tasks to precise, action-taking workflows. If you're drawn to hard problems where the research and the product are inseparable, this is the team.

Responsibilities

• Benchmark Design & Development: Design and implement evaluation benchmarks,
• metrics, and test suites that rigorously measure model capabilities across reasoning,
• knowledge, code, and agentic workflows.
• Product-Aligned Evaluation: Develop evaluation methods that capture how models
• behave in real product settings, and validate that evaluation metrics predict user-
• perceived quality and product outcomes.
• Evaluation Methodology Research & Tooling: Research and apply state-of-the-art
• evaluation techniques — including scoring frameworks, model-based judging, and
• contamination-resistant benchmark design. Build reusable tools, scorer libraries, and
• analysis frameworks that scale across the team's benchmark portfolio.
• Experimental Analysis: Design and execute rigorous experiments comparing model
• capabilities, engage with third-party vendors on benchmarking, and perform detailed gap
• analysis to guide model development priorities.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with model training, training data, and product
• teams to ensure evaluation insights inform training strategies, data decisions, and product
• quality improvements.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in AI model evaluation, NLP, or a related area (e.g., natural
• language generation, information retrieval, or conversational AI)
• Strong fundamentals in machine learning, natural language processing, and statistical
• analysis
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks (PyTorch, JAX, or
• equivalent)
• Demonstrated ability to translate research insights into practical implementations
• Strong experimental design skills: ability to design rigorous comparisons and draw valid
• conclusions from results
• Clear technical communication: ability to distill evaluation results into actionable
• recommendations for cross-functional partners
• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing or a related
• technical field. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, NLP, or a related field
• Direct experience evaluating large language models, e.g. benchmark design, model-based
• judging
• Track record of collaborating with model training and data teams to turn evaluation
• findings into training improvements
• Experience building reusable evaluation tooling or analysis frameworks adopted across
• teams
• Familiarity with human evaluation methodology and experience partnering with
• annotation teams or vendors to assess model quality

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 $181,100 and $318,400, 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.

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