Security Software Engineer, OS Security

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation

Employee stock programs

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Apple’s OS Security team seeks a Security Software Engineer to design, build, and deploy containment and isolation mechanisms across macOS and iOS internals. You will work within the Security Engineering and Architecture group to develop foundational technologies and secure APIs that empower developers and protect users.

You will collaborate across Apple’s ecosystem—Silicon Engineering, Human Interface, and third‑party developers—investing your time in promising research while ensuring scalable,

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or equivalent systems programming experience.
• Strong C and low-level systems programming skills.
• Understanding of macOS, iOS, BSD, or Linux internals.
• Ability to navigate code across kernel to userland and applications.
• Familiarity with security exploits and mitigation techniques.
• Proven ability to balance priorities, manage technical debt, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement state-of-the-art isolation and compartmentalization mechanisms for iOS and macOS internals.
• Develop and maintain label-based and mandatory access systems and policy engines that enforce them.
• Build secure, usable APIs for first-party and third-party developers to adopt containment technologies.
• Analyze high-level frameworks and apps to apply security models across the system, from kernel to userland.
• Balance security, performance, and usability by breaking down goals into deployable steps.
• Collaborate across Apple to ensure security technologies are used effectively by other teams.

Skills

C programming

Systems programming

OS internals

Kernel debugging

Security concepts

Education

BS in Computer Science

Job description

Security Software Engineer, OS Security, SEAR

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

Apple's OS Security team is looking for a motivated software engineer to design, build, and deploy world-class containment and isolation mechanisms throughout our operating systems. As part of the Security Engineering and Architecture group, you will develop the foundational technologies—including compartmentalization, mandatory access control, and robust policy engines that ensure our platforms are resilient and never just one mistake away from compromise. Our goal is for users to feel confident that our devices have their back every time they interact with an Apple product.

Description

In this hands-on software engineering role, you will design robust software systems and craft secure, high-performance code, collaborating across the company with everyone from our Silicon Engineering group to our Human Interface designers. We build technology deep within macOS and iOS internals, but we also lift it up through the software stack, creating ergonomic APIs that connect world-class security engineering directly to developers and users. You will have the autonomy to invest your time into the most promising areas of research and development, seeing your work scale to protect millions of people in their daily lives. Come help us push the boundaries of pragmatic, user-focused security.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement state-of-the-art isolation and compartmentalization mechanisms for iOS and macOS internals.
• Develop and maintain label-based and mandatory access systems, alongside the sophisticated policy languages and engines that enforce them.
• Build secure, usable APIs that allow both first-party and third-party developers to easily adopt our containment technologies.
• Analyze high-level frameworks and apps to ensure our security models apply pragmatically across the entire system, while operating mostly at the OS and systems programming level.
• Balance security, performance, and ease of use by breaking down ambitious, multi-year security goals into tangible, deployable steps.
• Collaborate across Apple to ensure our security technologies are not just built, but actively and correctly used by other teams to protect what matters most.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience/skills in systems programming and security.
• Strong C and low-level systems programming skills.
• Understanding of operating system internals (macOS, iOS, BSD, or Linux).
• Ability to navigate and understand code up and down the software stack (comfortable diving into kernel, low-level userland, framework, and application code).
• Familiarity with past, current, and emerging security exploits and mitigation techniques.
• Demonstrated readiness to balance concurrent priorities, manage technical debt, and deliver on tight schedules.
• Excellent partnership and communication skills to collaborate with a broad range of engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to iOS and macOS (end user, administrator, and/or developer).
• Involvement in open source technologies and development communities such as FreeBSD and Linux.
• Real world kernel and/or hypervisor programming experience.
• Experience designing and implementing security policy languages.

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 $129,300 and $225,300, 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

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.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.