Firmware Engineer - Server BMC

Apple, Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 309,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental cover

Retirement benefits

Apple stock programs

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. seeks a seasoned BMC Firmware Engineer to design, implement, test, and maintain OpenBMC firmware for next-generation server platforms.

You will bring up firmware on new hardware, collaborate with ODM/OEM, and help ensure security and manageability of data center systems. You will develop low-level drivers, write unit tests, and contribute to design discussions while staying current on vulnerabilities and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in embedded Linux development with strong C/C++ and scripting (Bash, Python).
• Hands-on OpenBMC experience including IPMI, Redfish, sensors/telemetry, and firmware updates.
• Experience porting OpenBMC to new platforms and building kernel/device trees.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain BMC firmware features, including services, APIs, and management interfaces (Redfish, IPMI).
• Design scalable BMC software for new hardware; upstream to OpenBMC as appropriate.
• Bring up BMC firmware on new hardware: kernel, drivers, device trees, and BSP.
• Implement and debug low-level drivers and hardware interfaces with hardware teams.
• Debug across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries using JTAG/serial/bus analyzers.
• Support EVT/DVT/PVT builds with ODM/OEM partners to resolve issues.
• Contribute to firmware security: secure boot, signing, vulnerability triage, patching.

Skills

Embedded Linux

C/C++

OpenBMC

IPMI

Redfish

systemd

D‑Bus

Python

Bash

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

OpenBMC

IPMI

Redfish

systemd

D‑Bus

JTAG

Job description

Seattle, Washington, United States Hardware

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.

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 $175,000 and $308,500, 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

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