Firmware Validation Engineer

Apple Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 184,700 - 324,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement benefits

Employee stock purchase plan

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a senior firmware test engineer to develop automated tests for wireless SoC firmware and ensure high-quality, manufacturable firmware across pre- and post-silicon stages.

You will collaborate with software teams to build robust test frameworks, drive coverage, and contribute to continuous integration and release processes. Strong Python/C skills and CI experience are essential.

Qualifications

• BS degree with 10+ years of industry experience.
• Proficiency in Python and C.
• Experience with test automation and CI processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement robust test automation for wireless SoC firmware.
• Develop test infrastructure and CI flow for pre‑silicon development and post‑silicon validation.
• Drive firmware test coverage and release quality.

Skills

Python

C

Education

BS degree

Tools

Jenkins

FPGA

Job description

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

Would you like to join Apple’s growing wireless silicon development team? Our wireless SOC organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development with a particular emphasis on highly energy efficient design and new technologies that transform the user experience at the product level, all of which is driven by a world‑class vertically integrated engineering team spanning RF/Analog architecture and design, Systems/PHY/MAC architecture and design, VLSI/RTL design and integration, Emulation, Design Verification, Test and Validation, and FW/SW engineering.

Description

In this highly visible role, you will be at the center of a silicon design group with a critical impact on getting functional wireless products to hundreds of millions of customers quickly. Responsible for developing test automation along with executing firmware test cases for System on a Chip (SoC) in wireless application, you will work closely with the Software Engineering team ensuring high quality of their firmware for manufacturability and improved user experience. Be the quality champion within the organization and spearhead quality processes such that there aren’t any room for regressions and help ship world class quality products.

Responsibilities

• Work with software developers, quality engineers to design, implement robust and scalable test automation framework which would enable quality engineers to build tests efficiently and precisely.
• Develop test infrastructure, and continuous integration flow for pre‑silicon development and post‑silicon validation, system integration and debug, including pre‑check in, nightly/weekly/release regression test.
• Drive continuous improvement of firmware test coverage and firmware release quality.
• Partner with development teams and multi-functional QA team to triage, diagnose, debug issues, and derive root‑cause.
• Develop firmware test plans and implement test cases based on requirements from system and product teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS and 10+ years of relevant industry experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Highly motivated and passionate about SW/firmware testing.
• Proficiency in programming with python and C.
• Knowledgable with hardware/firmware development life cycle.
• Experienced with test bringup on FPGA and SoC silicon hardware.
• Exposure to CI process and familiar with automation test framework development and tools such as Jenkins.
• Experienced with various wireless technologies such as WiFi/Bluetooth/UWB and integration issues.
• Experience in FW/SW white box testing, including test plan design, implementation, documentation, and maintenance.
• Understanding of embedded SW fundamentals and low-level hardware interfaces.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work with test equipment (i.e., oscilloscope, logic analyzer).

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.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace.

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.