Firmware Engineer — AirPods HID Sensing & Interaction

Summary

Part of what makes AirPods amazing is how effortless they are to use. Put them in your ears and they know they're being worn. Press or swipe the stem and they respond naturally. Start a workout and they can measure your heart rate. Behind these seemingly simple experiences are challenging problems across sensing, algorithms, real-time firmware, custom silicon, and system software.

The Human Interface Devices (HID) AirPods Firmware team is looking for an experienced firmware engineer to architect and build the embedded systems powering these sensing and interaction technologies. You will work across the entire product lifecycle — from early technology exploration through mass production — collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create intuitive experiences used by millions of customers.

Description

As a Senior Firmware Engineer on the HID AirPods Firmware team, you will own critical sensing and interaction technologies, developing the real-time, power-efficient embedded software that turns physical sensor inputs into intuitive customer experiences. You will architect and deliver robust C/C++ firmware, bring up and characterize new sensing technologies, integrate algorithms, and solve complex system-level problems spanning sensors, custom silicon, firmware, and higher-level software.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will span from low-level SOC & ASIC bring-up, to delivering best-in-class customer experiences built on foundational sensing technologies. You will develop the instrumentation and tools needed to characterize system behavior and ensure features perform reliably across real-world conditions, while partnering across disciplines to take new technologies through validation and mass production.

You will also help define what comes next. Working closely with silicon and hardware teams, you will influence future system architectures and translate firmware and product needs into capabilities for next-generation sensors and custom silicon. As a senior member of the team, you will provide technical leadership through architecture and design reviews, cross-functional technical direction, and mentorship of other engineers.

Minimum Qualifications

BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
10+ years of industry experience developing embedded software or firmware for production systems
Strong C/C++ programming and embedded software design skills
Experience developing and debugging firmware in bare-metal or RTOS-based embedded systems
Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity, code quality, debugging, or testing

Preferred Qualifications

Experience developing firmware for sensing, wearable, audio, haptic, robotics, or other highly integrated embedded products
Experience integrating or characterizing sensing technologies such as optical, capacitive, force, touch, motion, or proximity sensors
Familiarity with signal processing fundamentals, sensor algorithms, calibration, filtering, or sensor fusion
Experience with hardware or silicon bring-up, embedded system debugging, or contributing firmware requirements to custom silicon and hardware architectures
Demonstrated technical leadership through system architecture, cross-functional technical ownership, product delivery, or mentorship

Pay & Benefits — Cupertino, California, United States

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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.

Application Deadline

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.