Manager, Engineering Program management - AI/ML, Apple Services Engineering

The Apple Media Products (AMP) is an exciting environment and dynamic development organization. With customers in 155 countries, we are a fast-growing marketplace for music, movies, TV shows, books - and, of course, apps. Successful ASE AI/ML Engineering Program Managers are responsible for shipping Machine Learning (ML) and Generative AI (GenAI) features. We're looking for people with the ability to ship complex, customer-facing products under demanding timelines. This is a hands-on position where the Program Manager will be involved in requirements analysis, functional and technical design discussions, testing, proof-of-concept, working with partners, and more. This is not a task-based job; you will be responsible for successful outcomes and delivery. Strong program fundamentals are a requirement but you have to have more. You take responsibility; you feel a personal stake in the products you ship; you communicate responsibilities and scope clearly; you value integrity; you know how things work; you work for the success of the entire team; you thrive in uncertainty and strive to bring order to it; you have deep wisdom and judgement; you keep your eye on the ball; you build strong relationships; you are aware of politics but do not get mired in them; you are constantly looking to improve yourself and your team; you're persistent; and you ship products which millions of customers will use.

Description

• Drive the end-to-end delivery of large-scale, cross-functional Machine Learning (ML) and Generative AI (GenAI) programs and features within Apple Media Products (AMP). • Lead the strategic planning, execution, and delivery of multiple concurrent ML/GenAI features, encompassing scope definition, requirements gathering, timeline management, and resource allocation. • Cultivate strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional partners (Design, Engineering, Data Science, QA, Legal, Finance, Privacy, Anti-Fraud, Business Operations) to define product roadmaps and manage the feature intake pipeline. • Spearhead initiatives to optimize feature development and execution processes within the Apple Media Products organization, driving continuous improvement. • Contribute to the overall ML/GenAI strategy for AMP, effectively communicating program status, risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of Engineering Program Managers (EPMs) distributed across multiple geographic locations (Santa Clara Valley and Singapore).
• Oversee the program management of App Store and Commerce Growth Intelligence initiatives, ensuring successful delivery of related ML/GenAI features.
• Actively manage individual ML/GenAI programs, demonstrating hands-on leadership and commitment to successful outcomes.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact on project timelines and deliverables.
• Champion a culture of ownership, accountability, and collaboration within the team, fostering a high-performance environment focused on delivering impactful ML/GenAI solutions for millions of Apple customers.

• Proven experience in program or technical product management within the Machine Learning (ML) and Generative AI (GenAI) software development domain.
• 5+ years of progressive program management experience, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the software development lifecycle from inception to launch.
• 2+ years of experience in leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to structure complex issues and develop actionable solutions in the GenAI space.
• Best-in-class communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal, enabling effective communication with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated success in delivering complex, customer-facing and backend ML/GenAI projects under tight deadlines.
• Experience building and deploying global ML/GenAI products through effective collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data Science, Analytics, Design, etc.).
• Ability to synthesize incomplete, conflicting, or ambiguous information into clear, well-defined action plans for GenAI initiatives.
• Exceptional facilitation skills, adept at leading requirements sessions, design meetings, and progress/status updates for ML/GenAI projects.
• Strong technical proficiency, with program experience in Search and/or Recommendations systems
• Experience working with and managing globally distributed teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Human evaluation and A/B testing methodologies and their application to ML/GenAI product optimization.