Engineering Manager - ASE Data Services
Summary
Join ASE Data Services and help build and evolve the databases that power Apple's services at massive scale. We build and run high-performance, distributed datastores, relying heavily on open source technologies and contributing back to the projects we depend on.
In this role, you will lead a talented group of engineers based in China who are matrix-embedded (dotted line) into various global Data Services teams. You will play a pivotal role in bridging local operations with our broader Data Services leadership outside of China, ensuring your team delivers world-class distributed datastores and database proxy solutions. If you are an exceptional communicator with a deep background in software engineering, database technologies, and impactful people management, this is your opportunity to shine!
Description
As a leader in this organization, you will lead and empower a team of skilled engineers designing, building, and operating cutting-edge features for large-scale distributed database systems, to support Apple’s operations in China. Your team members will be embedded across multiple Data Services squads, working on everything from client libraries and high-performance proxy services to core database engines and control planes.
Responsibilities
- People Management & Local Operations: Act as the primary manager and mentor for engineers in China. You will be crucial in navigating local compliances, regulations, and work cultures, while fostering an environment of collaboration, inclusivity, and technical excellence.
- Global Alignment: Collaborate effectively with broader Data Services leadership outside of China. You will ensure strategic alignment, clear communication, and seamless integration of your embedded ICs within global initiatives.
- Technical Leadership: Draw on your prior software engineering experience to evaluate trade-offs in distributed systems, understand database architectures, and ensure high standards for availability, consistency, performance, and security.
- Impact & Delivery: Drive engineering best practices, performance tuning, and operational excellence for platforms powering hundreds of millions of Apple users worldwide.
- Team Development: Evolve the team's processes and values, providing technical guidance, encouraging career growth in a dotted-line matrix structure, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Computer Science or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in software engineering with a proven track record of technical impact.
- 3+ years of engineering management experience, successfully leading high-performing software development teams.
- Strong understanding of databases, data services, and distributed systems fundamentals (e.g., relational, NoSQL, data replication, caching).
- Exceptional communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively across time zones, bridging local teams with global, cross-functional leadership.
- Deep expertise in people management, with an understanding of local HR compliances, regulations, and team advocacy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing engineers in a matrixed or embedded model (dotted line reporting) across multiple global workstreams.
- 8+ years of total experience in software engineering, specifically within highly scalable distributed services.
- Hands-on experience building and operating distributed databases or storage systems at scale (e.g., Cassandra, Kafka, Redis, Zookeeper).
- Familiarity with capacity planning, observability, and performance tuning for massive-scale stateful workloads.
- Full product lifecycle ownership mindset (design → implementation → production) with experience navigating ambiguity in complex environments.
- A history of driving initiatives that optimize developer experience, operational reliability, and large-scale data delivery.