Engineering Manager, Private Cloud Compute Inference Routing

Role Number: 200691238Team: Software and ServicesLocation: SeattlePosted: 2026-10-23SummaryAt Apple, iCloud Platform Engineering builds the server stack behind Push Notifications, iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud, iCloud Private Relay and Private Cloud Compute (PCC), the backbone of Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. We are looking for an Engineering Manager to lead PCC inference routing. These systems send every inference request to the right compute across a global, multi-region fleet, while keeping latency low, availability high and PCC's privacy guarantees intact.This is a technically grounded leadership role for someone who thrives at scale, can bring clarity to complex and fast-changing environments, and is energized by building both systems and teams. You'll guide architectural direction, scale operational practices and develop the engineers and leaders who will shape how Apple delivers cloud inference.DescriptionRouting LLM inference at Apple's scale takes systems that adapt to changing demand, available capacity and failures while keeping latency low and accelerator utilization high. As the fleet grows across regions and cells, routing must account for capacity and health across the whole fleet, not just a single site. PCC adds a basic architectural requirement: request content stays encrypted outside trusted compute nodes. You'll lead the design of routing and scheduling strategies within this privacy model. Together with inference and security teams, you'll evaluate techniques such as cache-aware request placement and prefill/decode disaggregation. Your scope includes the inference AI gateway layer, where requests are authenticated, metered, prioritized and streamed back to clients, all without exposing request content.This work has broad reach. Every improvement to routing makes Siri AI and Apple Intelligence faster and more reliable, and makes better use of Apple's inference capacity. In your first year, you'll be expected to grow a high-performing organization, set a clear technical roadmap, and measurably improve routing latency, availability and fleet utilization.Minimum QualificationsExtensive software engineering experience with a demonstrated track record of leading teams that design, build, and operate large-scale distributed systems in production environments—whether through direct management, indirect oversight, or a combination thereofProven ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing engineers and leadersExperience delivering API gateways (preferably inference AI gateways), request routing, load balancing, scheduling, or traffic management systems at scaleExpertise of LLM inference serving, including request routing, KV-cache placement and reuse, prefill/decode disaggregation, and the tradeoffs between latency, throughput and accelerator useA record of shipping highly reliable systems in high-availability environments, including leading incident management, on-call and reliability practicesStrong technical depth: capable of contributing meaningfully to architectural and design discussions with senior engineers, with a server development background in Java, C/C++, Go or SwiftAbility to drive alignment and execution across teams in complex, matrixed environmentsBachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent professional experiencePreferred QualificationsProven leadership in developing LLM inference serving or routing platforms (e.g., llm-d, NVIDIA Dynamo, vLLM, SGLang, or managed inference services)Experience building or running inference AI gateways and their core behaviors: token-based rate limiting and usage metering, multi-model routing with fallback, retries and circuit breaking, and streamingresponse handlingTrack record of scaling teams and organizations during rapid growth while maintaining top-tier hiring and engineering standardsExperience delivering capacity tiers, reservations or QoS for high-volume workloads, and improving accelerator utilization through cross-region, capacity-aware routingUnderstanding of privacy-preserving system design: TLS, X.509, key management, Oblivious remote attestationExperience designing and maturing observability practices, including SLO/SLI frameworks, distributed tracing and on-call cultureExperience with container orchestration systems such as KubernetesDemonstrated ability to build psychologically safe, high-trust team environments that attract and retain top talentExperience formulating multi-year roadmaps in collaboration with product, research, and senior leadership within large organizations that prioritize quality and reliabilityPay & BenefitsAt 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 $225,600 and $381,600, 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 BenefitsNote: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.EEO StatementApple 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 applicantAccessibilityAt Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplaceLearn about reasonable accommodations for job applicantsApplication DeadlineApple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.