Tools & Automation Backend Quality Engineer – App Store Analytics

The App Store Analytics Quality Engineering team is looking for a Backend Test Engineer to ensure the accuracy and reliability of customer experience data for the App Store ecosystem. This role involves building scalable, robust backend test automation using Java or Python, with a strong focus on Big Data environments (Spark, Kafka, Flink, Hadoop, Hive, Iceberg). You will drive quality throughout the data lifecycle, from client instrumentation to backend aggregation and reporting, by applying shift-left testing principles and integrating test automation within CI/CD pipelines. Collaboration with engineering, data, and program management teams is key to defining test strategies and ensuring high data fidelity.

Must Have

• Implement and maintain automated validation frameworks for data pipelines and services
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines for continuous feedback and early defect detection
• Partner with developers to embed testability into data workflows and APIs
• Ensure consistency and correctness of client-to-backend data flows across iOS, macOS, tvOS, and Web
• Design, implement, and maintain automated test frameworks for backend data validation, ETL verification, and system integration testing
• Collaborate with data and backend engineers to embed test hooks and validations early in the development lifecycle
• Validate data pipelines built on Spark, Kafka, Flink, Hive, Hadoop, and Iceberg
• Develop scalable utilities for schema validation, data comparison, and regression checks
• Conduct functional, regression, and data integrity testing across multiple storage and compute layers
• Build monitoring and alerting mechanisms for pipeline health and data quality KPIs
• Investigate, isolate, and debug complex data issues across client and backend layers
• Document test strategies, automation architecture, and validation reports
• Strong proficiency in Python and/or Java for backend test automation and data validation
• Working knowledge of SQL and large-scale dataset validation across distributed storage or data lake environments
• Experience with REST API testing and automation
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous testing frameworks
• Proven experience implementing Shift-Left testing practices and embedding automation early in the SDLC
• Strong analytical, debugging, and communication skills

Good to Have

• Hands-on experience with Big Data frameworks (Spark, Kafka, Flink, Hadoop, Hive, Iceberg)
• Familiarity with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes) and deployment automation
• Knowledge of Charles Proxy, Postman, or equivalent tools for API and network validation
• Exposure to iOS/macOS platforms and Swift (for end-to-end validation scenarios)
• Passion for building maintainable, reusable, and scalable test automation systems

Perks & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Range of discounted products and free services
• Reimbursement for certain educational expenses (tuition) for career advancement
• Opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through employee stock programs
• Discretionary restricted stock unit awards
• Ability to purchase Apple stock at a discount through Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Discretionary bonuses or commission payments (role might be eligible)
• Relocation (role might be eligible)

The App Store Analytics Quality Engineering team ensures the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of customer experience data that powers features and insights across the App Store ecosystem. We are seeking a Backend Test Engineer with strong experience in Big Data environments (Spark, Kafka, Flink, Hadoop, Hive, Iceberg) and the ability to build scalable, robust backend test automation using Java or Python. This role is central to ensuring quality throughout the data lifecycle — from client instrumentation to backend aggregation and reporting — by applying shift-left testing principles, embedding quality checks early in development, and integrating test automation within CI/CD pipelines.

In this role, you will drive quality for large-scale distributed data systems that power App Store analytics. You will collaborate closely with engineering, data, and program management teams to define test strategies, contribute to automation frameworks, and ensure high data fidelity across ingestion, transformation, and reporting layers. You will be responsible for:

• Implementing and maintaining automated validation frameworks for data pipelines and services
• Integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines to ensure continuous feedback and early defect detection
• Partnering with developers to shift quality left by embedding testability into data workflows and APIs
• Ensuring consistency and correctness of client-to-backend data flows across iOS, macOS, tvOS, and Web This role requires a self-driven engineer with strong technical depth, solid analytical skills, and the ability to influence quality across complex, evolving systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain automated test frameworks for backend data validation, ETL verification, and system integration testing
• Collaborate with data and backend engineers to embed test hooks and validations early in the development lifecycle (Shift-Left)
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines to ensure continuous quality validation
• Validate data pipelines built on Spark, Kafka, Flink, Hive, Hadoop, and Iceberg, ensuring correctness, completeness, and performance
• Develop scalable utilities for schema validation, data comparison, and regression checks across distributed datasets
• Conduct functional, regression, and data integrity testing across multiple storage and compute layers
• Build monitoring and alerting mechanisms for pipeline health and data quality KPIs
• Investigate, isolate, and debug complex data issues across client and backend layers
• Document test strategies, automation architecture, and validation reports

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or similar
• Strong proficiency in Python and/or Java for backend test automation and data validation
• Working knowledge of SQL and large-scale dataset validation across distributed storage or data lake environments
• Experience with REST API testing and automation
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous testing frameworks
• Proven experience implementing Shift-Left testing practices and embedding automation early in the SDLC
• Strong analytical, debugging, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Big Data frameworks (Spark, Kafka, Flink, Hadoop, Hive, Iceberg)
• Familiarity with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes) and deployment automation
• Knowledge of Charles Proxy, Postman, or equivalent tools for API and network validation
• Exposure to iOS/macOS platforms and Swift (for end-to-end validation scenarios)
• Passion for building maintainable, reusable, and scalable test automation systems

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. Learn more about Apple Benefits.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.