Embedded Signal Processing and ML Algorithms Engineer

Apple; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock programs

Relocation help

Medical & dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Apple, Inc. is seeking an Embedded Signal Processing and ML Algorithms Engineer to bridge algorithm development with embedded systems and software integration. You will develop sensing algorithms on microcontrollers, DSPs, and ML accelerators, focusing on performance and power efficiency across Apple devices.

The role emphasizes collaboration across firmware, software, and hardware, plus leading GenAI tool adoption and workflow automation within the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 3 years of industry experience.
• Strong C/C++, Python experience and embedded systems background.
• Solid background in signal processing and ML algorithms.
• Experience with OO design patterns and software development practices.
• Familiar with AI-powered development tools to streamline workflows and testing.

Responsibilities

• Prototype and develop sensing, tracking, and classification algorithms.
• Develop and integrate low-level C/C++ software for microcontrollers and DSPs.
• Integrate algorithms with the software layer across product configurations.
• Collaborate with firmware and software teams through the lifecycle.
• Develop test frameworks and performance metrics for end-to-end validation.
• Budget compute/memory workloads for silicon-architecture guidance.
• Champion GenAI tools and developer productivity solutions.
• Evaluate GenAI workflows and drive their integration into processes.
• Communicate findings and tooling recommendations to the team.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded systems

Signal processing

Machine learning

Object-oriented programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

RTOS

Microcontrollers

DSP accelerators

HW/SW integration

Job description

Embedded Signal Processing and ML Algorithms Engineer

Join Apple's Human Interface Design (HID) team to develop advanced sensing, tracking, and classification algorithms to enable best-in-class user experiences across Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Pencil, Apple Watch, and exciting new products. We are looking for a strong machine learning & DSP engineer with a passion for bridging algorithm development with embedded system design and software integration and leveraging GenAI tools into an engineering workflow. Our team brings togethers experts of diverse backgrounds: Machine Learning, Signal Processing, Firmware, Software, Physics, Mathematics, Human Factors, and more. You will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and design, collaborating with specialists across Apple to ship extraordinary products used every day by millions of people around the world.

Description

This is an machine learning engineering role at the HW/SW/UI boundary, with broad collaboration opportunities across firmware, software, and algorithms teams. You will be responsible for developing sensing algorithms using signal processing and machine learning techniques and delivering them as highly optimized, power-efficient code for custom silicon. You'll tackle complex challenges like memory constraints, computational budgets, and real-time performance while ensuring robust end-to-end functionality from sensor data acquisition through to the software layer to deliver exceptional user experiences. In this role, you will also lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and deploy GenAI tools that improve team productivity, including GenAI-assisted development, data analysis, and workflow automation. You will help define best practices for GenAI tool adoption within the group and collaborate cross-functionally to scale these efforts.

Responsibilities

• Prototype and develop sensing, tracking, and classification algorithms to support new product form factors and new user-facing features
• Develop and integrate robust C/C++ low-level software for deploying algorithms on microcontrollers, DSPs, and ML accelerators
• Integrate algorithm implementations with the SW layer, ensuring correctness, performance, and stability across product configurations
• Work with firmware and software engineers throughout the product lifecycle, from early prototyping through productization
• Develop and maintain integration test frameworks and performance metrics to validate algorithm behavior end-to-end
• Profile and budget algorithm compute/memory workloads on embedded platforms to guide silicon architecture teams on accelerator requirements, core selection, and memory sizing for future hardware
• Identify and champion GenAI tools and developer productivity solutions that can be adopted within the team
• Evaluate GenAI-assisted workflows (e.g., code generation, data analysis, automated testing) and driving their integration into team processes
• Communicate findings, integration status, and tooling recommendations clearly to team members and leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field and 3 years of relevant industry experience
• Strong software programming skills in C/C++, Python, and experience with embedded systems
• Strong background in signal processing, machine learning and statistical learning algorithms
• Experience with object-oriented programming and common software design patterns
• Experience leveraging AI-powered development tools to streamline daily workflows, accelerate coding and debugging, creating test frameworks and improve overall code quality and testing
• Excellent communication, presentation, and documentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s/PhD degree with 3+ years of experience in algorithm integration or embedded/software systems
• Proven track-record in signal processing and machine learning, including areas such as time-series analysis, digital filtering, feature extraction, classification, regression, or neural network-based inference; experience applying these techniques to sensor data or embedded sensing systems is a strong plus
• Familiar in C/C++ for embedded systems development, including RTOS, microcontrollers, and low-level hardware interactions
• Understanding of modern SoC/ASIC architectures, hardware neural/math accelerators, memory-bandwidth bottlenecks and experience with HW/SW partitioning for complex algorithms is a strong plus
• Experience working at the HW/SW interface, including familiarity with firmware interfaces, driver layers, or OS-level integration
• Hands‑on experience prototyping, developing and integrating algorithm and signal processing code with software layer (e.g., OS-level frameworks, or application software)
• Track record of evaluating, integrating and deploying AI-powered developer tools (e.g., LLM-assisted coding, AI-based test generation, intelligent data analysis pipelines)
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across firmware, software, and algorithms disciplines

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 $142,300 and $263,300, 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.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.