On-device ML Infrastructure Engineer (ML Modeling Semantics & Representation)

Key Skills

Effective communication skills, Infrastructure as code, JAX framework, Machine learning techniques, PyTorch, TensorFlow

Job Description

Our group is looking for an ML Infrastructure Engineer, with a focus on ML model semantics, representation, and optimizations. The role is responsible for working with ML research and Applied research engineers to onboard the newest ML architectures to CoreML’s ML model representation, including evolving the representation to support the latest and greatest features in the authored ML program (e.g., PyTorch), and enable the exposure of Apple’s on-device execution capabilities. The role is responsible for building critical “bridging” infrastructure between the most used ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch) and Apple’s CoreML stack.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop technologies to quickly onboard new ML models to our on-device stack, including contributions to ML authoring frameworks.

• Understand different ML operations, architectures, and graph representations in different authoring frameworks. Keep abreast of latest innovations in this space.

• Architect and build CoreML’s model representation that can efficiently represent program semantics from the authored frameworks, while allowing for peak execution performance.

• Define and build the user-facing model translation and ingestion abstractions, APIs, and surrounding toolkit to allow seamless model import into Apple’s ML stack.

• Perform optimizations such as quantization, operator transformations, etc. to make models more amenable to efficient on-device deployment

Description

As an engineer in this role, you will be primarily focused on the interplay between higher-level ML authoring frameworks (such as PyTorch, JAX, MLX, etc.) and Apple’s on-device ML infrastructure. The role requires an understanding of ML modeling (architectures, training vs inference trade-offs, etc.) and ML deployment optimizations (compression, distillation, quantization, hardware optimizations, etc.).

We are building the first end-to-end developer experience for ML development that, by taking advantage of Apple’s vertical integration, allows developers to iterate on model authoring, optimization, transformation, execution, debugging, profiling and analysis. The ML representation, translation and optimization is the entry point of such infrastructure stack.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors in Computer Sciences, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Highly proficient in Python programming, familiarity with C++ is required.
• Proficiency in at least one ML authoring framework, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, MLX.
• Strong understanding of ML fundamentals, including common architectures such as Transformers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands on experience working with and/or developing ML optimization techniques such as quantization.
• Experience with accelerators, GPU programming is a strong plus.
• Experience with any on-device ML stack, such as TFLite, ONNX, etc.
• Experience with MLIR compiler stack is a strong plus
• Good communication skills, including ability to communicate with cross-functional audiences.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.

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 $207,800 and $312,200, 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.