Technical Engineering Manager, Filemaker
Apple
Software Engineering, Other Engineering, IT
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
USD 198,300-298,100 / year + Equity
Posted on Mar 26, 2026
Apple's Claris International Inc. is seeking an exceptional FileMaker Technical Engineering Manager to lead a team of database engineers in designing, delivering, and operating robust data platforms for client-facing solutions. This role combines deep database architecture expertise with hands-on delivery rigor, ensuring projects are executed on time, to specification, and with production-grade quality. The ideal candidate will translate client requirements into scalable, secure technical designs while fostering a culture of accountability and execution excellence.
As a FileMaker Technical Engineering Manager, you will lead a team responsible for architecting and delivering mission-critical database solutions that directly impact our clients' success. You'll partner closely with Server teams and internal stakeholders to transform business requirements into clear, detailed database architectures that balance performance, scalability, cost, and maintainability. This role demands both strategic thinking and tactical execution—you'll set the technical vision while ensuring your team delivers with precision and meets committed deadlines. You will own the end-to-end technical lifecycle of client-facing database solutions, from initial architecture through production operations. Your leadership will ensure that every schema, data model, and pipeline is designed for long-term operability, security, and performance. You'll drive a culture of ownership where engineers think from a client impact perspective and maintain the highest standards of quality and reliability.
- | Client-Driven Architecture & Delivery | Partner directly with Server teams and internal stakeholders to translate business requirements into clear, detailed database architectures
- Own schema design, data models, and pipeline architectures tailored to specific client use cases
- Ensure architectural decisions appropriately balance performance, scalability, cost, and maintainability
- Design solutions across FileMaker Server, Client, WebDirect, APIs, and cloud or on-premises deployments
- | Detail-Oriented Execution | Drive high-precision implementation, ensuring configurations, migrations, and schemas are correct and comprehensively documented
- Review designs and code with strong focus on correctness, edge cases, and long-term operability
- Enforce rigorous standards for naming conventions, indexing strategies, versioning, backups, and access control
- Reduce technical debt through disciplined design and execution practices
- | Deadline-Driven Project Management | Plan and execute database initiatives with clear milestones, delivery dates, and measurable success criteria
- Proactively manage dependencies, risks, and tradeoffs to meet committed deadlines
- Hold the team accountable to delivery commitments while maintaining uncompromising quality standards
- Navigate competing priorities and tight deadlines with composure and strategic thinking
- | Performance, Reliability & Security | Ensure client systems consistently meet SLAs for performance, availability, and data durability
- Lead performance tuning, monitoring, and proactive optimization for production environments
- Enforce security best practices, compliance requirements, and disaster recovery standards
- Implement and maintain robust backup and recovery procedures
- | Technical Leadership & Governance| Establish and maintain best practices for database development, migrations, and lifecycle management
- Lead architectural reviews and provide expert guidance on complex technical challenges
- Set technical standards and ensure consistent application across all projects
- Mentor engineers on database design patterns, optimization techniques, and operational excellence
- | Team Leadership & Development | Coach engineers to think from a client impact perspective and take ownership of outcomes
- Set clear expectations around precision, delivery reliability, and professional accountability
- Foster a culture of execution excellence, transparent communication, and continuous improvement
- Develop team capabilities through mentoring, skill-building, and constructive feedback
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent
- 10+ years of progressive experience in database or data engineering roles
- 2+ years leading technical teams delivering client-facing systems or production database solutions
- Strong understanding of data modeling, schema design, and normalization principles
- Proven experience designing scalable, reliable architectures across Server, Client, WebDirect, APIs, and cloud or on-premises deployments
- Demonstrated track record of delivering complex systems on schedule while maintaining quality standards
- Excellent communication skills with ability to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- 3-5+ years of leadership experience managing technical engineering teams
- Extensive hands-on experience with FileMaker platform (Server, Pro, WebDirect, Data API)
- Experience with modern cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and hybrid deployment models
- Knowledge with C++
- Background in enterprise-scale database performance tuning and optimization
- Experience with database security frameworks, compliance standards (SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA), and audit requirements
- Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities
- Strong conflict resolution and stakeholder management skills
- Experience implementing monitoring, alerting, and observability solutions for production databases
- Track record of reducing technical debt and improving system reliability
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.