Haptics Software Engineer

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 150,400 - 277,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock programs

Employee stock purchase plan

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Discounted Apple products

Education reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Bonuses or commissions

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino, CA, is seeking a software engineer to develop drivers, frameworks, and tooling for haptics-enabled Apple products. You will work with firmware, UI, services, and design teams to deliver a cohesive customer experience across iPhone, Watch, Pencil and Mac.

You will bring prototypes to life, architect end-to-end haptics solutions, and collaborate on APIs, real-time requirements, and feature design for next‑gen devices.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science or related field.
• Strong C/C++ and OO programming skills with debugging experience.
• Experience developing drivers or software frameworks.
• Experience building tooling with Python and Bash.
• Familiarity with kernel and user-space profiling.

Responsibilities

• Bring up prototypes and demos to explore new haptics interactions.
• Architect low-latency end-to-end haptics solutions and define APIs.
• Develop features on prototype hardware with potential custom silicon.
• Debug issues with QA to deliver high-quality iOS/watchOS/macOS software.

Skills

C/C++

OOP

Driver development

Python scripting

Bash scripting

Kernel/user-space profiling

Education

BS/MS CS or related

Tools

Python

Bash

Objective-C

Swift

DSP

Wireless protocols

Microcontrollers

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

We are looking for a creative, motivated, and hard‑working software engineer to develop drivers, frameworks, and tools for haptics‑enabled next‑generation Apple products, including iPhone, Watch, Pencil, and Mac. Come join a tightly‑integrated team of hardworking engineers to deliver world‑class haptic experiences that will be enjoyed by millions of customers!

Description

As a software engineer in haptics, you will work on all stages of the product development cycle with a vertically‑integrated technology team. In this role you’ll collaborate with teams across the company, including firmware, algorithms, UI, services, and design teams to deliver a coordinated customer experience.

Responsibilities

• You will bring up proof‑of‑concept prototypes and demos to help design teams explore and evaluate new interactions and user experiences.
• To ensure we craft well‑considered features, you will architect low‑latency, end‑to‑end haptics solutions by collecting requirements and constructing block diagrams; you will also negotiate and specify APIs, communication protocols, operating modes, and feature requirements with other software and firmware teams.
• You will develop and detail software features on prototype hardware, potentially with custom silicon and/or algorithms with tight real‑time requirements.
• You will debug and root cause issues with QA teams to deliver high‑quality, robust software in iOS/watchOS/macOS releases.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science or related fields and 3+ years relevant industry experience.
• Strong C/C++ and object‑oriented programming and debugging skills.
• Expertise in developing system software such as drivers or frameworks.
• Ability to build tooling with scripting languages such as Python and Bash.
• Experience with profiling code in both kernel and user‑space.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with application‑level programming using Objective‑C and Swift.
• Experience with digital signal processing, filter design, and transforming time domain signals.
• Exposure to wireless data transport concepts and protocol design for real‑time wireless streams.
• Ability to quickly familiarize yourself with code you’ve never seen before.
• Experience working with microcontrollers, sensors and/or actuators.
• Experience with AI‑assisted development tools and LLM applications in software development.
• Experience crafting SW interfaces or APIs with customer‑facing features.

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.

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.