Distributed Build Systems Engineer, Build Framework

Distributed Build Systems Engineer, Build Framework

Cupertino, California, United States
Software and Services

The SWE Developer Foundations organization builds technologies and tools to help software engineers at Apple to do the best work of their lives. The Build Framework team supports that mission by combining modern distributed systems and build system technology to significantly improve software development velocity. We develop a large-scale functional build system used to build apps and operating systems  are looking for experienced engineers to join our efforts.

You'll work on extending large-scale novel build and distributed systems to meet the needs of Apple's engineers. If you enjoy working on system software, cloud services, or developer tools like compilers and linkers, then we have many exciting problems to work on! You would join a small, tight-knit group of engineers who build exciting new technology and have fun while doing so.

We are applying unique and innovative ideas to old problems and welcome new contributors who are excited by the opportunity to significantly impact the shape and direction of our product. We believe that every engineer brings unique skills and perspective. Far more than any specific experience or skill, we are looking for engineers who want to build great software, learn and develop their skills, and ultimately enable others to develop amazing applications.

You’ll work on build systems features and problems, for both at‑desk workflows as well as large‑scale operating system CI/CD builds. You'll find ways to combine our unique problem domain with established distributed system techniques to achieve both high performance and reliability. You’ll review user workflows and analyze problem requirements, review existing solutions and available systems, and make high‑level workflow and architectural decisions, considering both short‑ and long‑term goals.

Once solutions are identified, you will work with your team to implement them while developing appropriate testing and operational mechanisms. You will be most successful here as a flexible and proactive engineer who thrives in a supportive, respectful, and balanced work environment with interesting and challenging problems to tackle. You have excellent judgment and integrity with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.

You know how to drive constructive discussion of design points, learn from your team, and use your experience to advocate and teach others.

• Spend the majority of your time programming in Swift.
• Collaborate with your teammates through git pull requests, in‑person conversations, and Slack.
• Engage with other teams to help identify issues and establish long‑term relationships that include knowledge sharing.
• Develop expertise and be given ownership over components critical to Apple’s success.
• Provide technical guidance, software architectural review, and mentorship.
• Make customer‑focused product design decisions with your teammates and drive what really matters.
• Prioritize and schedule issues, estimate scope of work, and investigate new issue reports in your areas of responsibility.

• 3+ years of software engineering experience
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• Strong software architecture and coding abilities in Swift, Rust, C++, Scala, or others.
• Interest in build systems, cloud services, and other high‑performance system software
• Strong written and verbal communication with ability to work cross functionally

• Curiosity to understand constraints and bottlenecks in Apple’s software builds and innovative ideas to improve them.
• Interest in traditional and/or distributed build systems such as Make, CMake, Bazel, Buck, etc.
• Experienced in systems programming (e.g., operating systems, kernels, compilers, linkers, package managers, etc).
• Familiar with SDK or framework development used by other developers.
• Experience with writing performance‑critical components.
• Familiar with reliable, scalable, distributed systems

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the…