Apple hiring managers to improve iOS Maps 'Ground Truth'

Last year's release of Apple's Maps app in iOS 6 was met with a number of complaints about the accuracy of maps and directions generated by the app, leading to a public apology from CEO Tim Cook and a clamor for Google Maps when that app was released several months later. Now Apple is posting job openings for "Maps Ground Truth Managers" for seven key regions of the world to ensure and improve the accuracy of the Maps database.

Ground Truth refers to data captured on location to help validate geographic information collected through remote sensing by satellites or aircraft. In this case, Apple is looking for managers who will run teams with responsibilities including (info from US listing):

• Testing new releases of map code and data around the US

• Collecting ground truth data to allow for analysis of the impact of potential map code or data changes relative to known truth

• Utilizing local expertise to provide feedback about US-specific mapping details

• Evaluating competing products in-region relative to our maps

While the postings include managers for teams for the US, Western Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Americas and Middle East/Africa regions, these software engineering positions are all located in Cupertino.