Building for creatives: A CS alum’s path from U-M to Apple TV

When Justin Washington (BSE CS 2010) reflects on his experience at the University of Michigan, he doesn’t shy away from the challenges: “I was on academic probation—twice,” he laughs. But those early hurdles helped lay the foundation for a career that has led from the computer science program at U-M, through multiple Silicon Valley and LA tech giants, and now to a principal product management role on the Apple TV team. Recently, Justin even took center stage at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), a moment he calls “surreal” and a highlight of his journey so far.

Justin grew up in Detroit and says the city’s creative energy has always been part of his identity. “I’m a musician, producer, songwriter,” he described. “I thought, ‘If I can’t make it in the music industry, I want to make the tools that creatives use.’” That blend of creativity and an interest in technology convinced him that the CS program at U-M was the right choice for him.

While Justin ultimately thrived at U-M, his academic path had a few detours. “It took some time to understand how to balance my course load, what classes to take together, time management, and prioritization,” he described. “Those are skills I use every single day as a product manager at Apple.”

Despite these early challenges, Justin speaks fondly of his time at U-M, praising the blend of technical rigor and hands-on teamwork. Foundational courses in CS gave him the vocabulary and systems-level understanding not only to become a successful software engineer himself but also to collaborate confidently with engineers at Apple and other tech companies in his current role, even if he’s not the one writing code anymore.

When asked about a highlight of his time at U-M, Justin was quick to cite Prof. Elliot Soloway and a project-based mobile app design class he took with him. “He really treated us like entrepreneurs. We had to build a business case, work in teams we chose, defend our ideas, and connect classroom learning to real-world innovation,” Justin recalled. “It was the first time I felt, ‘I’m doing something that matters.’” 

Taking advantage of U-M’s robust career fairs, Justin landed multiple internships, including at Microsoft, Yahoo, and Apple. After graduation, he went on to secure a full-time role in QA engineering at Apple, followed by experiences at Twitter (under fellow alum Dick Costolo) and Snapchat in both engineering and product roles. In 2021, he returned to Apple as a product manager for Apple TV. 

As a product manager, Justin describes himself as the “customer advocate-in-chief.” His day-to-day involves everything from conducting user studies and research to writing requirements, working with designers, and collaborating with stakeholders across Apple. “Storytelling—crafting and presenting our mission and solutions—is a huge part of what I do.”

Being selected to represent his team at WWDC 2025 was a major professional milestone for Justin. At the keynote, he introduced new Apple TV features to a worldwide audience of developers and tech enthusiasts, highlighting innovations that his team had spent months—even years—refining. Among the new features, he showcased the stunning new Liquid Glass visual design, a redesigned Apple TV app with dynamic poster art, easier access to profiles, and a revamped Apple Music Sing experience that lets users turn their iPhone into a karaoke microphone.

 “To be trusted with representing our product and the collective creativity of so many colleagues was surreal,” he said. “It felt like a full-circle moment—thinking back to being a Michigan student attending career fairs, then years later getting to speak on Apple’s biggest stage about technology that millions of people will enjoy.”

Reflecting on his experience as a Wolverine, Justin encourages current and prospective students to fully explore all U-M has to offer. A director of the campus Gospel Chorale, he took classes in music, psychology, and linguistics, in addition to the CS curriculum. “Don’t let the rigors of academia keep you from trying new things, working with diverse people, seeing how different minds approach problems,” he urged. “In tech, and especially at Apple, empathy and broad perspectives are incredibly important.”

For Wolverines who might be facing academic or career uncertainty, Justin is adamant: “Don’t be afraid to pivot, ask for help, and explore. What matters is learning how to navigate challenges, and those skills transfer everywhere.” He credits the U-M community and his own mentors, including notable Black tech leaders Garlin Gilchrist II (also a U-M alum) and DeVaris Brown, for inspiring his drive and resilience.

As for what’s next: after representing his team on the global WWDC stage, Justin is eager to keep opening doors, for both himself and others. “Every room I walk into, I try to make it a little easier for the next person to enter and dream as big as they want.”