Apple is ramping up its presence in the Gulf, launching an ambitious hiring campaign across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a broader regional expansion strategy. The move comes ahead of Apple’s first official online store in Saudi Arabia, set to launch in mid-2025, with flagship retail stores to follow in 2026.
Dozens of Roles Open Across the Kingdom and Emirates
As of April 2025, Apple has listed dozens of new job openings across both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to postings on its official careers portal. In Saudi Arabia, roles span management, technical operations, legal, marketing, business development, and sales. In the UAE, Apple is hiring for retail and corporate positions in key commercial locations including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Yas Mall, and Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi.
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Retail-focused positions include Specialist, Technical Expert, Genius, Creative, and Operations Expert, with candidates expected to blend product knowledge, customer service, and adaptability. Meanwhile, business roles such as Business Pro and Business Expert target applicants with experience in enterprise solutions and sales to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Corporate Leadership
Apple is also actively recruiting for senior leadership roles, including UAE-Manager at Dubai Mall and Commercial Country Manager to oversee its Apple Store Online business in the Middle East. Other UAE-based corporate positions include Product Marketing Manager, Product Compliance Manager, and Apple Pay E-Commerce Business Development Manager.
The hiring spree underscores Apple’s increasing reliance on the Gulf region as a strategic growth market. In Saudi Arabia alone, the company has spent over SAR 10 billion (approx. $2.66 billion) with local firms in the past five years, signalling long-term investment in infrastructure, partnerships, and human capital.
Expansion Strategy for the Middle East
Apple’s online store debut in Saudi Arabia marks the tech giant’s first direct-to-consumer retail service in the Kingdom. The move is expected to pave the way for flagship retail locations starting in 2026. It also positions Saudi Arabia and the UAE as core markets for Apple’s regional operations.
In the UAE, the company recently announced plans for a fifth physical retail store in Al Ain, highlighting sustained investment in the Emirates. “The UAE is home to an incredible community of creators, innovators, developers, and entrepreneurs,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in December 2024. “We’re excited to keep growing our teams and strengthening our ties with customers here.”
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Apple’s expansion comes amid increasing global trade tensions. U.S. tariffs aimed at reshoring manufacturing have sparked concern among tech giants. Apple’s supplier Luxshare, which assembles iPhones and AirPods, has indicated it may shift more production outside of China—potentially to the U.S. or other regions—if commercially viable. While production changes remain uncertain, Apple’s hiring surge across the Gulf signals a clear direction: deepening its roots in a region seen as central to the company’s international growth strategy.