Kernel Driver Engineer - Graphics, Games, & ML

Apple; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a systems software engineer to join the GPU Kernel/Firmware team. You will design and implement low-level drivers and memory/power management features that power graphics, machine learning, and compute workloads across iOS and macOS.

This role emphasizes deep system knowledge and collaboration across Apple’s graphics stack. You will work on kernel and firmware integration, contribute to high-performance driver reliability, and help push graphics performance on Apple devices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strong programming skills in C/C++.
• Solid understanding of computer system architecture.
• Experience with driver development or operating system concepts.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive hardware and software roadmap decisions for ML acceleration.
• Design and builds kernel and firmware drivers for the GPU.
• Develops memory management features for GPU kernel and firmware.
• Implements power management capabilities across the GPU software stack.
• Builds asynchronous command processing systems for GPU workloads.
• Designs error concealment mechanisms to improve driver reliability.
• Partners with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate kernel and firmware into the graphics platform.
• Collaborates with engineers across Apple to maximize graphics and compute performance on iOS and macOS.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Computer architecture

Driver development

OS concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Summary

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something — you'll add something.

Description

Apple's GPU Software team which is a part of the Graphics, Games, & ML organization gives developers the tools and APIs to harness the power of the GPU across every Apple product — iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac. As part of the GPU Kernel/Firmware team, you'll help design and build the low-level software that powers graphics, machine learning, and compute experiences across our entire platform lineup. The GPU Kernel/Firmware team builds the kernel and firmware drivers that connect the operating system to the GPU on every Apple product. As a system software engineer on this team, you'll design and build features spanning memory management, power management, asynchronous command processing, and error concealment for workloads ranging from games to machine learning to image processing. You'll apply deep knowledge of low-level system architecture to deliver reliable, high-performance drivers. You'll partner with a world-class team to integrate the kernel and firmware into the graphics platform, maximizing graphics and compute potential across iOS and macOS.

Responsibilities

• Drive hardware and software roadmap decisions for ML acceleration


• Designs and builds kernel and firmware drivers for the GPU


• Develops memory management features for GPU kernel and firmware


• Implements power management capabilities across the GPU software stack


• Builds asynchronous command processing systems for GPU workloads


• Designs error concealment mechanisms to improve driver reliability


• Partners with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate kernel and firmware into the graphics platform


• Collaborates with engineers across Apple to maximize graphics and compute performance on iOS and macOS

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 plus years of strong programming skills in C/C++


• Solid understanding of computer system architecture


• Experience with driver development or operating system concepts


• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field


• Experience with power management and control theory


• Experience with GPU architecture or graphics/compute driver development