Firmware Engineer - Server BMC

Apple Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a BMC Firmware Engineer to design, implement, test, and maintain BMC firmware for Apple data center server platforms. You will bring up BMC software on new hardware, collaborate with ODM/OEM and silicon vendors, and ensure security and manageability across platforms.

The role emphasizes security features, testing, and documentation, with a focus on robust firmware that supports scalable, reliable server infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of embedded Linux development experience.
• Hands-on OpenBMC experience including IPMI, systemd, D-Bus, Redfish.
• Experience porting OpenBMC to new platforms and hardware bring-up.
• Strong knowledge of I2C/SPI/UART, GPIO, Ethernet controllers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain BMC firmware features, including services, APIs, and management interfaces (Redfish, IPMI).
• Design scalable BMC software that supports new hardware through configuration and upstream/downstream patches.
• Bring up BMC firmware on new hardware: kernel, drivers, device trees, board support.
• Implement and debug low-level drivers and hardware interfaces with hardware engineers.
• Debug issues across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries using serial, JTAG, and bus analyzers.
• Support EVT, DVT, and PVT builds with ODM/OEM partners to resolve issues.
• Contribute to firmware security: secure boot, signing, vulnerability triage, patching.
• Write unit tests for new features and support system-level validation.
• Write technical docs and contribute to design discussions.
• Stay current on vulnerabilities and security standards (NIST, FIPS).

Skills

C/C++ programming

Embedded Linux

Bash & Python scripting

Redfish & IPMI

OpenBMC familiarity

Driver/Kernel bring-up

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS or related field

Tools

OpenBMC

Job description

We are seeking a curious and self-motivated BMC Firmware Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development of next-generation industry-standard server platforms. Our work focuses on improving the manageability and security of Apple data center systems. You will work alongside highly skilled engineers who are committed to engineering excellence, and your work will have a direct impact on the platforms we deliver.

Description

As a BMC Firmware Engineer, you will design, implement, test, and maintain BMC firmware features for server platforms. You will bring up BMC software on new hardware, work with ODM, OEM, and silicon vendor partners, and help ensure the firmware is robust against security threats. Your work will support strong infrastructure manageability, serviceability, and security.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain BMC firmware features, including services, APIs, and management interfaces (Redfish, IPMI).
• Design scalable, maintainable BMC software that supports new hardware through configuration. Upstream changes to the OpenBMC community where appropriate and maintain downstream patches across releases.
• Bring up BMC firmware on new hardware: kernel, drivers, device trees, and board support. Strong embedded firmware knowledge and hands on experience in embedded firmware to support BMCs on devices other than DCSCM module.
• Implement and debug low-level drivers and hardware interfaces in collaboration with hardware engineers.
• Debug issues across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries using serial console, JTAG, and bus analyzers.
• Support EVT, DVT, and PVT builds, and work with global ODM, OEM, and contract manufacturing partners to resolve issues.
• Contribute to firmware security: secure boot, firmware signing, vulnerability triage, and patching.
• Write unit tests for new features, and support system-level validation by reproducing and fixing defects.
• Write clear technical documentation and contribute to design discussions.
• Stay current on new vulnerabilities, attack methods, and security standards (NIST, FIPS).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years of experience in embedded Linux development with strong C/C++ programming skills, plus scripting in Bash and Python.
• Hands-on experience with OpenBMC including IPMI, systemd and D-Bus services, Redfish, sensors and telemetry, and firmware update frameworks.
• Experience porting OpenBMC to new platforms, including build configuration, kernel and device tree changes, and platform-specific services.
• Experience integrating and scaling sensors in OpenBMC, with attention to service count, memory, and boot-time cost.
• Working knowledge of server platform interfaces such as I2C/I3C, SPI, PMBus, UART, GPIO, and Ethernet controllers.
• Experience taking firmware through product development stages, ideally EVT/DVT/PVT with ODM or OEM partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with PLDM and MCTP, and with PECI/APML.
• Experience with BMC security features such as secure or verified boot, firmware signing, root of trust, SPDM, and vulnerability management.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills across hardware, firmware, and software, with effective collaboration with vendor and hardware teams.
• Experience supporting BMC software on new hardware, including low-level debugging (JTAG, serial, oscilloscope, I2C analyzer).
• Exposure to EDKII/BIOS and platform enablement.
• Familiarity with RAS concepts (fault management, telemetry, recovery).
• Familiarity with cloud-scale operations and fleet management of BMC firmware.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes ambiguous environment, and to identify and raise technical and schedule risks early.

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.