Firmware Engineer

Apple Inc.; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock programs

Medical & dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Employee education reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. Beats team seeks a highly motivated Firmware Engineer to research, develop, and innovate for the next generation of Apple audio devices.

You will shape the product development lifecycle, turning early concepts into world‑class hardware and software solutions in a fast‑paced environment. With 6+ years in firmware and driver work, you will drive system integration, hardware bring‑up, and cross‑functional collaboration while prototyping software features.

Qualifications

• BS in EE, CE, CS or equivalent with a strong software focus.
• 6+ years of firmware and device driver development.
• Strong C coding skills.
• Experience with hardware bring-up, schematics reading, and debugging chip-level functionality.

Responsibilities

• System Integration & Delivery: drive overall system delivery and ensure components integrate on schedule.
• Hardware Bring-Up: take ownership of initial hardware bring-up, read schematics, validate board designs, test chips and components.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: coordinate across engineering teams to align hardware and software efforts.
• Software Development: design, develop, and prototype software features.
• Testing & Validation: characterize, test, and validate designs; prepare detailed reports for stakeholders.

Skills

C

Firmware development

Device drivers

Hardware bring-up

I2C/SPI/UART/USB

ARM Cortex-M/R/A

C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/CS

Job description

The Apple Beats team is seeking a highly motivated Firmware Engineer with a strong foundation in engineering principles and a deep passion for new technologies. In this role, you will be at the forefront of researching, developing, and innovating solutions for the next generation of Apple audio products. You will play a critical role in the product development lifecycle, turning early concepts into fully realized, world-class audio devices. This role requires an energetic individual who thrives in a fast-paced, rapid-development environment and is ready to innovate.

Description

The Firmware Engineer will be part of a team that architect, design, develop, and maintain hardware and software systems for audio products. This engineer will also perform characterization, test and validation of each design; analyze results and create reports/presentations when needed.

Responsibilities

• System Integration & Delivery: Driving overall system delivery and ensuring all components integrate successfully on schedule.
• Hardware Bring-Up: Taking ownership of initial hardware bring-up. When receiving new hardware for the first time, you will read schematics, validate board designs, and methodically test different chips and components to ensure they are functioning and communicating correctly.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinating seamlessly across numerous engineering teams to align hardware and software efforts.
• Software Development: Executing software feature design, development, and rapid prototyping.
• Testing & Validation: Performing characterization, testing, and validation of each design. You will analyze test results and create detailed reports or presentations to share with stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CE), Computer Science (CS), or an equivalent field with a strong software focus.
• 6+ years of professional experience in firmware and device driver development.
• Strong, demonstrable coding skills with a heavy emphasis on C
• Extensive experience in hardware bring-up, reading schematics, and debugging chip-level functionality on new hardware builds.
• Proven experience in software feature design, development, and rapid prototyping.
• Hands-on experience with standard bus interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB).
• Familiarity with compilers and toolchains targeting ARM Cortex-M/R/A architectures.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CE), or equivalent.
• A genuine, deep-seated passion for innovation and embedded systems development.
• Familiarity with Bluetooth (BT) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies and protocols is a strong plus.
• Experience with C++ is a nice-to-have.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple cross-functional groups under minimal supervision.

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.
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• retirement benefits
• a range of discounted products and free services
• for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition.
• discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

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

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.