Sensing & Imaging FPGA Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Apple Benefits

Employee stock programs

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple's Imaging and Sensing Incubation team in the San Francisco Bay Area seeks an FPGA Design Engineer to translate architecture into working FPGA hardware. You will build multi-sensor acquisition/processing systems for future Apple products, and work hands-on with lab tools to deliver robust hardware.

You will own RTL coding, IP integration, timing closure, HDL test benches, and collaborate across hardware, software, and system teams to shape Apple Intelligence capabilities.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with FPGA design tools and languages.
• Experience with RTL design and lab debugging.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements with multi-disciplinary teams and drive performance goals.
• Own RTL coding, IP selection/integration, synthesis, timing, verification, and bring-up.
• Develop HDL test benches to verify functional correctness and performance.
• Plan, debug, and validate FPGA designs in hardware labs.
• Develop FPGA-based processing for camera and multi-sensor data paths.
• Document architecture and communicate concepts across partners and leadership.
• Explore sensor technologies and contribute to roadmaps for Apple products.

Skills

RTL design (SystemVerilog/Verilog)

Troubleshooting with test equipment

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Vivado

Lattice Radiant

AMD (Xilinx) FPGA

Lattice FPGA technologies

Verilog/SystemVerilog

I2C

SPI

UART

USB

MIPI

DP

High-speed serial interfaces

Job description

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

We live in a mobile and device-driven world where knowledge of the physical world around us is essential. Apple is meeting those needs as robustly and creatively as possible, and we're looking for people who want to help us achieve that commitment. The Imaging and Sensing Incubation team develops design solutions for user experiences and new technologies across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBooks, and more. Our team creates early-stage hardware systems integrating cameras, non-vision sensors like IMUs, magnetometers, accelerometers, microphones, and ambient light sensors, including systems that enable Apple Intelligence features. We offer a collaborative, inclusive, hands-on environment that cultivates engineering excellence, creativity, and innovation.

Description

Apple's Incubation team is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer to bring hardware systems to life, systems essential to delivering future products, features, and Apple Intelligence capabilities. You'll develop FPGA-based platforms from architecture through hardware bring-up, building multi-sensor acquisition and processing systems and influencing hardware, algorithm, and system design decisions. You'll have the autonomy to make design decisions and see their impact in working hardware. Work hands on in the lab with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers while collaborating with and learning from world-class experts in electrical engineering, sensor modules, product design, software, and system teams. Your work will directly shape how future Apple products see, hear, and sense the world around them.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with system architecture, EE, algorithm, software and PM teams to define requirements, understand performance goals, and execute projects
• Contribute to system architecture and micro-architecture; own RTL coding, IP selection, IP evaluation, IP integration, FPGA synthesis, place & route, timing closure, verification, and hardware bring-up
• Develop and maintain test benches to verify HDL code for functional correctness and performance
• Create and execute plans to bring-up, debug, and validate designs
• Develop FPGA-based processing for camera and multi-sensor data paths supporting real-time image, and DSP
• Document FPGA architecture and communicate technical concepts to cross-functional partners and leadership
• Explore emerging sensor technologies and contribute to technology roadmaps for future Apple products

Minimum Qualifications

• Proficiency with FPGA design tools such as Vivado, Lattice Radiant, design constraints, familiarity with AMD (Xilinx) and Lattice FPGA technologies
• Strong System Verilog or Verilog RTL design skills
• Experience with communication interfaces and protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, MIPI, DP, high-speed serial interfaces)
• Troubleshooting and analytical skills using lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, ChipScope, and Reveal
• Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with image/signal processing implementation in FPGA (ISP pipelines, filtering, frame buffering)
• Understanding of low-level software (firmware and/or drivers in C or C++) and Python/Tcl for automation and test
• Good understanding of CDC and FPGA timing constraints
• CI/CD for FPGA builds, version control best practices, and regression testing methodologies
• AI-assisted coding and design experience
• Good judgment and understanding of system-level impact of design choices
• Strong communication and cross-team collaboration skills
• Passionate about learning and working in a fast-paced incubation environment
• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with FPGA design experience delivering FPGAs from concept to implementation

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

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.