Firmware Engineer — AirPods HID Sensing & Interaction

Socket.dev; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer for the HID AirPods Firmware team. You will own critical sensing and interaction technologies, developing real-time, power-efficient embedded software that translates physical sensor inputs into intuitive experiences for millions of users.

You will architect and deliver robust C/C++ firmware, bring up new sensing technologies, integrate algorithms, and tackle complex system-level challenges across sensors, custom silicon, firmware, and higher-level

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of embedded software or firmware experience in production systems.
• Strong C/C++ programming and embedded software design skills.
• Experience with bare-metal or RTOS-based embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Own critical sensing and interaction technologies and develop real-time, power-efficient embedded software.
• Architect and deliver robust C/C++ firmware; bring up sensing technologies and integrate algorithms.
• Solve complex system-level problems spanning sensors, custom silicon, firmware, and higher-level software.
• Work across the product lifecycle from technology exploration to mass production with cross-functional teams.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Embedded software design

RTOS development

Firmware debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Job description

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.

Minimum Qualifications

BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience10+ years of industry experience developing embedded software or firmware for production systemsStrong C/C++ programming and embedded software design skillsExperience developing and debugging firmware in bare-metal or RTOS-based embedded systemsExperience 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 productsExperience integrating or characterizing sensing technologies such as optical, capacitive, force, touch, motion, or proximity sensorsFamiliarity with signal processing fundamentals, sensor algorithms, calibration, filtering, or sensor fusionExperience with hardware or silicon bring-up, embedded system debugging, or contributing firmware requirements to custom silicon and hardware architecturesDemonstrated technical leadership through system architecture, cross-functional technical ownership, product delivery, or mentorship