Swift Compiler Backend Engineer
Apple
Software Engineering
Cupertino, CA, USA
USD 126,800-220,900 / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 17, 2026
Developers inside and outside of Apple depend on Swift’s unique combination of safety, ergonomics, and performance to ensure their software is as good as it can be. Your work will advance a rapidly-evolving programming language that directly impacts the quality of every Apple software product, and supports the daily work of millions of developers outside of Apple. We are looking for a Compiler Backend engineer who is passionate about ensuring the Swift programming language continues to grow and improve. You will drive improvements to the generated code by reaching out and working closely with experts in compilers, operating systems, processors, and development tools to ensure that Swift’s compiled code works seamlessly in every supported environment.
As a Swift Compiler Backend Engineer, you will be responsible for ongoing development and management of the Swift backend. In this role, you will work closely with the Swift optimizer team to ensure that new optimizer concepts are correctly handled, with the Swift runtime team in their ongoing search for better ways to handle Swift’s runtime reflection metadata, and with the LLVM team to steadily improve Swift’s usage of LLVM.
- Maintain and evolve Swift’s backend integration with LLVM
- Support Swift language development by ensuring that new language concepts are correctly handled in the backend
- Collaborate with runtime, OS, and linker experts on improvements to Swift’s emitted code
- Ensure Swift’s generated code behaves correctly in all supported environments
- Passion for compiler development
- Comfortable programming in C++
- Excellent software engineering skills
- Exemplary communication, organization, and collaboration skills
- Familiarity with LLVM APIs and concepts
- Able to read and understand assembly language
- Experience with Swift or other new programming languages
- Knowledge of OS internals or debugging infrastructure
- Experience with low-level performance measurement and tuning
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.