Senior Engineering Program Manager
Apple
Software Engineering, Operations
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
USD 172,100-305,600 / year + Equity
Posted on Mar 24, 2026
Imagine what you could do here! The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they build the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. At Apple, inclusion is a shared responsibility, and we work together to foster a culture where everyone belongs and is inspired to do their best work. We’re a diverse collective of thinkers and doers, continuously reimagining our products and practices to help people do what they love in new ways. That innovation is inspired by a shared commitment to great work — and to each other. Because learning from the people here means we’re learning from the best. Retail Operations creates the tools and programs that empower our teams to provide, a one of a kind, only at Apple experience. We do this by obsessing over the employee and customer experience, and driving a global strategy that sets the bar.
The Retail Technology Interactive Engineering team designs, develops and deploys customer-facing demo apps and experiences across Apple’s global retail footprint. You'll be part of a dynamic team of engineers and program managers, who partner cross-functionally across Apple to deliver innovative digital experiences to tens of thousands of Apple devices across 500+ stores world wide. We are looking for a Staff Engineering Program Manager to build and lead the program management function within our organization. You will analyze cross-functional systems and engineering needs and operate at the intersection of retail strategy and engineering execution, establishing the frameworks, communication systems, and cross-functional rhythms that allow high-performing, engineering teams to deliver at Apple scale. Successful candidates are humble, curious, creative, and tenacious; they are organized, think clearly, and can lead effectively through ambiguity.
- Analyze business goals and problem statements, translating them into technical features and thoughtful system design. This includes defining, writing, and maintaining clear system requirements, functional specifications, and helpful technical documentation like flowcharts and system diagrams.
- Consult with engineering leaders and business stakeholders to make sure our systems and software support strategic objectives while aligning to long-term system design and architecture principles, technical constraints and integration requirements.
- Define and document inter-team agreements, integration contracts and implementation plans, while overseeing validation activities and ensuring system readiness for deployment.
- Using data and evaluation reports, build roadmaps and cost-benefit analyses that help leadership make smart decisions about system planning, improvements, and new implementations.
- Shape how we work by establishing structured processes for planning, validation, and documentation—from intake and sprint rhythms to launch checklists, retrospectives, and handoff documentation that drive repeatable system implementation and reliable releases.
- Lead, mentor and train a team of system analysts and engineering program managers, guiding projects from early ideas through successful delivery using systems design best practices.
- Bachelors degree in related field
- 10+ years of experience as a Technical/Engineering Program Manager or software engineer, with a track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary programs spanning software, platform, and operations
- Demonstrated success establishing or significantly maturing program management practices within an engineering organization, i.e. frameworks, governance structures, and delivery rhythms that scale
- Proven ability to define, write, validate and maintain systems & program requirements — BRDs, functional specs, technical documentation — that bridge business intent and engineering execution
- Ability to translate business intent into scoped, unambiguous requirements, and translate architect-level technical thinking into actionable engineering plans
- Experience driving cross-functional alignment across engineering, creative, operations and business stakeholders, comfortable influencing at director and VP level without direct authority
- Experience using AI to improve workflows and effectiveness
- Deep familiarity with Apple Retail technology, internal tooling, and organizational culture
- Experience working to product or software release cycles with non-negotiable deadlines (hardware launches, OS schedules)
- Background partnering with or advising Solutions Architects or senior engineers on scoping and de-risking complex programs
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.