Staff Software Engineer - FoundationDB

Cupertino San Francisco Until 9/22/2026 15+ years exp First posted July 24, 2026 Last posted July 24, 2026
Job description

Apple is looking for an experienced database Software Engineer to help develop the next generation of Apple's cloud services. You will be working on a core component of the iCloud Platform that makes Apple's experiences so phenomenal. We are growing, and so is our mission — each day, more of Apple's customers count on the services that we provide.

Description

This FoundationDB team needs strong, dedicated developers to join and help build the system to reach new heights. This person will have a tremendous amount of individual responsibility and influence over the direction of the backend, powering many critical Apple services for years to come. You should be someone who has ideas and a passion for software that maximizes reuse, efficiency, and simplicity.

FoundationDB has a unique simulation testing framework for correctness. In addition to simulation, you will help drive the full cycle of efficiency improvement for the product, including setting up test cluster environments, benchmarking, visualizing results, tracing, debugging, and making code changes. This work will impact hundreds of millions of users and be important to the success of some of the most visible current and future Apple features.

Minimum Qualifications

15+ Years of proven experience: Designing, implementing, and operating highly scalable distributed systems.
Architect at Planet-Scale: Design and implement foundational changes to the database engine, focusing on extreme scalability, high availability, fault tolerance, and cross-region consensus.
Drive Technical Strategy: Drive the long-term technical vision and roadmap for FoundationDB, proactively balancing immediate business needs while ensuring architectural integrity.
Elevate the Team: Serve as a technical mentor and force multiplier across the engineering organization, driving a culture of technical excellence, rigorous code review, and innovative thinking.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the technical ambassador for FoundationDB, working closely with partner teams.
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering-related field or equivalent related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Languages: C++, Swift.
Technology: NoSQL, SQL, or other modern data storage systems.
Knowledge: Security, Privacy, Distributed Systems.

About this role

Summary

Design and operate scalable distributed database systems for Apple cloud services.

Job title

Staff Software Engineer - FoundationDB

Experience level

15+ years

Minimum experience

15+ years exp

Industry

software

Location requirements

Candidates must be in California or remote allowed.

Salary

Not specified

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

C++SwiftNoSQLSQLdistributed systemssecurityprivacy

Preferred skills

C++Swiftsecurityprivacy

Specializations

distributed systemsdatabaseNoSQLSQLfault tolerance
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Unknown location

Remote

Cupertino, CA, USA

On-site City

San Francisco, CA, USA

On-site City

Seattle, WA, USA

On-site City