
Senior Software Engineer, Apple Services Engineering
Required skills
- Java
- Scala
- Apache Spark
- Apache Flink
- Apache Kafka
- Cassandra
- AI
- MCP Servers
- Agentic workflows
- LangGraph
Nice to have
- algorithms
- data structures
- architecture
- multi-functional requirements
- engineering tasks
Role summary
Apple Services Engineering is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to build and maintain elite, extraordinary scalable distributed systems for services like App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV+. The role involves working with big data technologies, architecting real-time streaming pipelines with Apache Flink, and developing AI-driven workflows using LLMs and LangGraph. The engineer will ensure systems are highly available, scalable, and adhere to strict privacy principles. This position requires 5+ years of experience with Java/Scala and distributed systems technologies such as Spark, Flink, Kafka, or Cassandra.
Description
At Apple, data is our first-class citizen and we build the systems that make it extraordinary. We operate at petabyte scale, engineering distributed platforms that power real-time insights, fuel business decisions, and directly shape the experiences behind Apple TV and Sports products. Our work sits at the intersection of massive-scale data infrastructure and cutting-edge AI, and no two days look the same. One day, you're architecting real-time streaming pipelines with Apache Flink, processing millions of events per second with sub-second latency. The next, you're building intelligent AI Agentic workflows and MCP servers that unlock new dimensions of automation and decision-making. And on another, you're designing LangGraph-powered workflows that bring the full potential of Large Language Models into production-grade data systems. Our systems must scale effortlessly, remain highly available, and deliver consistent, trustworthy results, because the collaborators and stakeholders who depend on our data use it to drive critical business requirements. The stakes are high, and the impact is real. Above all, we are deeply committed to Apple's privacy principles, not as a constraint, but as a core value that guides every architectural decision we make.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 5+ years of experience developing and maintaining production-grade applications using Java and/or Scala. 5+ years of experience designing and building large-scale distributed systems using technologies such as Apache Spark, Apache Flink, Apache Kafka, or Cassandra. Hands-on experience working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, including building MCP Servers, designing Agentic workflows, and integrating Large Language Models (LLMs).
Preferred Qualifications
Good understanding of software engineering principles and fundamentals including algorithms and data structures. Self-directed, self-motivated and ability to create architecture and design documents. Ability to assemble multi-functional requirements and translate them into practical engineering tasks.
Sample Apple interview questions
- 1
Design a typeahead box for a search engine
system designmedium - 2
Design a rate limiter
system designmedium - 3
Architect a key-value store for distributed systems.
system designmedium - 4
Design a system to schedule jobs in a distributed environment
system designmedium - 5
What is an API and how does it work?
technicalmedium
Get started to unlock a personalized interview prep pack for this role.
Similar roles
Shipping SupervisorApple · Santa Clara, CA · Onsite
Senior Data Engineer, Data ProductsApple · Cupertino, CA · Onsite- Staff Embedded Software EngineersRivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies · Palo Alto, CA · Onsite
- Software EngineerPublicis Groupe Holdings · Westminster, CO · Hybrid
- Software Engineer II, BackendAffirm · Remote · Remote
Agentic AI Director of Software EngineeringJPMorganChase · Columbus, OH · Onsite
