Senior Software Engineering Manager, Creative Apps

Summary

Apple's Creator Studio team builds the creative applications that empower millions of users to express their creativity and vision on Apple platforms. We are looking for a seasoned engineering leader to manage a high-performing team of domain expert engineering creatives looking to do the best work of their careers on a highly visible, highly impactful product.

Description

In this role, you will lead multiple engineering teams, driving technical strategy, execution, and team development. You will partner closely with product, design, and XFN teams to deliver polished, innovative features built on UIKit, AppKit, and modern agentic frameworks. Day-to-day, you will balance hands-on technical engagement with people leadership — hiring, mentoring, and growing both engineers and managers on your team.

Responsibilities

Lead a multi-level team of software engineers and engineering managers building photography and creative apps on iOS and macOS
Define and drive the technical roadmap for creative feature development
Partner with product management and design to translate creative vision into shipped software with exceptional craft and performance
Establish engineering excellence practices and define what it means to develop quality software in an evolving landscape of human/machine teaming.
Recruit, develop, and retain top engineering talent; provide clear career growth paths for both ICs and managers
Collaborate cross-functionally with platform, infrastructure, and other app teams to resolve dependencies and share best practices
Represent the team in leadership forums, communicating progress, risks, and strategic direction with clarity and confidence

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of engineering management experience, including direct management of both engineers and managers
Deep expertise in iOS and/or macOS application development using UIKit and/or AppKit
Proven experience delivering complex, consumer-facing apps from concept through App Store release
Strong background in software architecture, app frameworks, and UI systems at production scale
Track record of building and developing high-performing engineering teams in a fast-paced product environment
Demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions across multiple concurrent workstreams with minimal direction

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on experience with photography, imaging, or creative application development on Apple platforms
Familiarity with on-device machine learning integration, or intelligent creative tooling
Skilled in navigating large, cross-functional organizations and aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared technical vision
Experience contributing to or consuming first-party Apple frameworks, or deep knowledge of Apple platform internals
Proficiency in Swift and modern Objective-C, with a strong sense of what high-quality Apple platform code looks like
Prior experience managing geographically distributed or hybrid engineering teams
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience

Pay & Benefits — Cupertino, California, United States

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 $237,600 and $401,700, 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.

Application Deadline

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.