Senior Simulation Animation Engineer - Special Projects
Cupertino, California, United States
Software and Services
Posted: Dec 17, 2025
Role Number: 200636503

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something you'll add something.

Description
As a Senior Simulation Animation Engineer you will have an opportunity to be part of an innovation-focused organization within Apple that is developing simulations and generating synthetic data. You will be able to work on highly ambitious and impactful simulation projects. This team has a strong focus on enabling AIML-based features and products. Our ideal team member brings experience but is also fearless when it comes to trying new things and is willing to iterate on ideas. We value team members who can quickly prototype, iterating all the way to high-quality implementations. Moreover, we value team members who can collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain real-time animation systems within the simulator (e.g., animation state machines, blend trees, IK/FK solvers).
• Explore and adapt emerging animation technologies (e.g., motion matching, ML-based animation, runtime physics blending).
• Collaborate with animators and technical artists to create efficient pipelines for importing, retargeting, and testing animations.
• Develop and optimize runtime animation features such as locomotion, procedural layering, ragdolls, and facial animation.
• Integrate motion capture data and support animation-driven gameplay systems.
• Ensure animations run efficiently across target platforms and use cases, both real time with frame rate budgets and non real time.
• Create tools and scripts to improve animator workflows and streamline iteration.
• Debug animation-related issues in simulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 years of professional experience.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and solid software engineering fundamentals.
• Knowledge of animation principles, skeletal animation, and character rigging concepts.
• Experience implementing animation graphs, blend systems, runtime animation retargeting, and IK solvers.
• Familiarity with profiling, optimization, and debugging in a real-time environment.
• Good communication skills and ability to collaborate with animators, designers, and engineers.
• Experience with a major game engine.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with USD format and tools, especially for animation.
• Experience in video game real time animation systems.
• Experience with offline animation and rendering pipelines.
• Experience with hair and cloth simulations.

Pay & Benefits
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 $172,100 and $305,600, 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.

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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.