Software Development Engineering Manager, Test Automation - Apple Maps

In this role, you'll combine technical leadership with strategic vision. You'll mentor a talented engineering team, define technical direction, and champion the integration of generative AI tools into our automation systems. Your work will directly impact how millions of users experience Apple Maps every day, enabling faster releases with higher confidence and better quality.

","responsibilities":"Leadership & Team Development

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 9 Software Engineers in Test, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning

Conduct regular 1-on-1s, provide constructive feedback, and support career growth and skill development for team members

Set clear technical direction and goals for the team, aligned with broader organizational objectives

Build a psychologically safe environment where engineers feel empowered to take ownership, experiment, and innovate

Identify and nurture talent, creating pathways for growth and advancement within the team

Strategic Planning & Execution

Define and execute a comprehensive roadmap for test automation systems that scales with product complexity and organizational growth

Assess current automation infrastructure, identify gaps, and prioritize improvements that deliver maximum impact on product quality and team velocity

Work cross-functionally with product management, design, and engineering leadership to translate business needs into technical requirements

Balance competing priorities across stakeholders while making data-driven decisions about resource allocation

Technical Direction & Innovation

Drive technical strategy around test automation architecture, frameworks, and best practices

Evaluate and champion the adoption of emerging technologies, particularly generative AI and machine learning tools, to enhance automation capabilities (intelligent test selection, anomaly detection, automated test generation, etc.)

Partner with platform teams, rendering engine specialists, and quality engineers to understand technical constraints and opportunities

Establish and maintain high standards for code quality, test coverage, and automation infrastructure

Stakeholder Collaboration

Serve as the primary liaison between test automation users (QA engineers, product engineers, platform teams) and core technology infrastructure teams

Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization, conducting regular research to understand pain points, bottlenecks, and emerging needs

Communicate technical progress, challenges, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Advocate for testing best practices and automation culture across Apple Maps organization

Continuous Improvement

Establish metrics and KPIs to measure automation effectiveness, team productivity, and quality impact

Drive regular retrospectives and process improvements based on team feedback and data analysis

Champion best practices in testing, automation infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and engineering processes

Foster a culture of experimentation and learning, encouraging the team to explore new approaches and tools

Preferred Qualifications

Programming expertise in Swift, Python, or Objective-C

Experience with Apple platforms and frameworks (UIKit, SwiftUI, MapKit, or similar large-scale system APIs)

Exposure to or direct experience with generative AI tools and their applications in software quality and automation

Familiarity with large-scale distributed systems, performance testing, or backend infrastructure

Track record of building or scaling test automation infrastructure from the ground up

Experience mentoring engineers through career transitions or significant skill-building initiatives

Strong understanding of Mapping, Navigation, or other geospatial technologies

Experience with accessibility testing and ensuring inclusive user experiences

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of software development experience

3+ years managing technical teams of 5+ software engineers, with a demonstrated track record of shipping high-quality products and growing team members

Familiarity with asynchronous programming and testing patterns (async/await, callbacks, concurrency, dispatch queues, thread safety)

Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automation infrastructure, and tools (e.g., ATP, Jenkins, Xcode Cloud, or equivalent)

Direct experience defining test automation strategies and partnering with diverse stakeholders to architect scalable solutions

Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences (engineers, managers, product teams)

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent professional experience in test automation or platform development

Demonstrated commitment to building inclusive, collaborative teams and fostering psychological safety

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 .

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 $228,100 and $342,800, 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.

Client-provided location(s): Cupertino, CA

Job ID: apple-200648418-0836_rxr-661

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-02-28T19:16:01