Camera Embedded Software Engineer

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 150,400 - 277,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

Stock purchase plan

Relocation

Job summary

The Video Engineering team at Apple in Cupertino is seeking a talented embedded software engineer to lead camera firmware across hundreds of millions of devices.

You will design ISP and ML algorithms, optimize performance, latency, and power, and collaborate with silicon, algorithms, and systems teams to deliver imaging innovations at scale.

Join a cross-disciplinary environment where mentorship and design reviews shape world‑class imaging capabilities, from prototyping to mass production.

Qualifications

• BS in CS/EE with at least 3 years of relevant industry experience.
• Proficiency in C/C++ with emphasis on performance, memory safety, and code quality.
• Experience developing and debugging on ARM-based SoCs or DSPs.
• Familiarity with RTOS or bare-metal environments.
• Excellent analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and implementation of next-generation camera firmware — from early prototyping through mass production.
• Develop and optimize ISP and ML algorithms powering Apple's most advanced photo and video features.
• Profile, debug, and drive improvements in performance, latency, and power efficiency across the full camera stack.
• Partner directly with silicon, algorithms, and systems teams to co-design hardware-software interfaces that unlock new imaging capabilities.
• Drive architectural decisions that scale across Apple's entire device portfolio — your designs ship in hundreds of millions of devices.
• Contribute to a culture of technical excellence through design reviews, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

C/C++ performance

RTOS experience

ARM-based SoCs/DSPs

Analytical problem solving

Education

BS in CS/EE

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

At Apple, we don't just build products — we craft experiences that redefine what's possible. The Video Engineering team is behind the cutting‑edge camera and imaging technologies that power hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs around the world. From capturing cinematic video to enabling breakthrough computational photography, we're shaping how people see and share their world.

Description

This role sits at the intersection of real‑time embedded systems, silicon design, and computational imaging — a rare opportunity to influence camera technology at a scale no other company can match. If you're passionate about building software that blends hardware innovation with algorithmic intelligence, we'd love to have you on our team.

Who you are:
You thrive on solving complex technical challenges and turning ideas into elegant, efficient software.
You take pride in writing clean, maintainable, high‑performance code — and you enjoy helping others do the same.
You're curious, collaborative, and motivated by impact — you want your work to matter, and here, it ships to hundreds of millions of people.
You're energized by working across disciplines — partnering with silicon architects, algorithm researchers, and systems engineers to build something none of you could alone.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and implementation of next‑generation camera firmware — from early prototyping through mass production.
• Develop and optimize ISP and ML algorithms powering Apple's most advanced photo and video features.
• Profile, debug, and drive improvements in performance, latency, and power efficiency across the full camera stack.
• Partner directly with silicon, algorithms, and systems teams to co‑design hardware‑software interfaces that unlock new imaging capabilities.
• Drive architectural decisions that scale across Apple's entire device portfolio — your designs ship in hundreds of millions of devices.
• Contribute to a culture of technical excellence through design reviews, mentorship, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS and a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience.
• Proficiency in C/C++ with a strong emphasis on performance, memory safety, and code quality.
• Experience developing and debugging on ARM‑based SoCs or DSPs.
• Familiarity with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) or bare‑metal environments.
• Excellent analytical, debugging, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in embedded software development.
• Deep understanding of image and video signal processing, including ISP tuning pipelines or camera HAL development.
• Experience with camera systems, machine learning for imaging, or sensor data processing.
• Exposure to multi‑camera systems or computational photography features such as HDR, Night Mode, or depth sensing.
• Interest in or experience with AI‑assisted development tools and workflows.

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace. Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.