Firmware Engineer — AirPods HID Sensing & Interaction

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Apple Benefits

Relocation assistance

Stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Healthcare coverage

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer for the HID AirPods Firmware team in Cupertino. You will architect and deliver real-time, power-efficient firmware powering sensing and interaction technologies, spanning sensors, custom silicon, and higher-level software.

You will own architecture, drive mass production readiness, mentor other engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate product needs into robust embedded solutions.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, 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.

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.
• 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. You will provide technical leadership through architecture and design reviews, cross‑functional technical direction, and mentorship of other engineers.

Skills

C/C++ programming

embedded software design

RTOS/bare-metal

AI-assisted development tools

firmware debugging

Education

BS in Computer Science/CE/EE

Tools

RTOS

Debugging tools

Bare-metal development

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

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

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.

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.