SoC Audio Architect, Platform Architecture

Apple Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 205,000 - 309,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Discounted products and services

Education reimbursement

Stock programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking an SoC Audio Architect to define the audio subsystem architecture for Apple's SoCs, shaping multi-gen roadmaps and collaborating across silicon, software, hardware, and firmware teams.

This role focuses on architecture over IP design and requires guiding trade-offs between performance, power, and area. You’ll own architecture specs, size subsystems, and communicate results to executives, while mentoring engineers and aiding onboarding.

Qualifications

• Experience with SoC architecture principles.
• Experience with SoC audio processing.
• Proficiency in DSP algorithms and audio processing.
• Familiarity with RTL design concepts (SystemVerilog).
• Ability to size subsystems and model power/performance/area.

Responsibilities

• Define and own architecture specifications for audio subsystems across Apple SoC product lines.
• Author and maintain multi-generational roadmaps for audio subsystems, securing executive buy-in.
• Contribute to performance and power modeling of audio workloads to determine subsystem sizing and partitioning across interfaces, accelerators, DSPs, and software.
• Collaborate with Silicon Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, and Firmware teams from concept through tape-out.
• Present architecture and performance study results to cross-functional and executive audiences to inform technical decisions.
• Mentor engineers and support onboarding and talent development within the team.

Skills

SoC architecture

SoC audio processing

Digital signal processing

RTL SystemVerilog

Cross-functional leadership

Power/Performance/Area optimization

Audio interfaces (I2S, PDM, TDM, MIPI)

Education

Master's degree

Tools

SystemVerilog

Job description

Do you love crafting elegant solutions to the hardest problems in audio and acoustics? Are you a big-picture, forward-thinking engineer who understands how audio subsystems integrate into a SoC and a system? At Apple, our Architecture group is responsible for connecting the hardware and software that bring sound to life across our products. Join this team, and you'll collaborate with engineers across Apple to design how our audio technologies work in unison!

Description

We are looking for a SoC Audio Architect to join our team defining the audio subsystem architecture for Apple's SoCs — technology that powers experiences across nearly every Apple product, from ultra-low-power keyword detection to high-fidelity spatial audio. This is primarily an audio subsystem architecture role, not an audio IP design role; experience designing audio IP is valued as background but is not the core function of the position.In this highly visible role, you will own the multi-generational subsystem architecture and roadmap for audio subsystems, collaborating closely with Silicon Engineering, Software Engineering, and Hardware Engineering teams to size subsystems and optimize trade-offs between performance, power, and area. You will have visibility across every product line and be accountable for architectures that scale across the portfolio, from early concept through tape-out and into shipping product.

Responsibilities

• Define and own architecture specifications for audio subsystems across multiple Apple SoC product lines
• Author and maintain multi-generational technical roadmaps for audio subsystems, securing executive buy-in
• Contribute to performance and power modeling of audio workloads to determine subsystem sizing and partitioning across interfaces, accelerators, DSPs, and software
• Collaborate with Silicon Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, and Firmware teams from concept through tape-out
• Present architecture and performance study results to cross-functional and executive audiences to inform technical decisions
• Mentor engineers and support onboarding and talent development within the team

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with SoC architecture principles
• Experience with SoC audio processing

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree with 20+ years of relevant industry experience
• Experience defining architecture specifications for audio, DSP, or signal processing subsystems within an SoC
• In-depth understanding of SoC architecture concepts, such as on-chip fabric protocols, memory concepts, and clocking, reset, and power management
• Skilled in digital signal processing algorithms, including audio algorithms
• Understanding of SoC power modeling and Power/Performance/Area (PPA) optimization
• Understanding of SoC audio interfaces (e.g., I2S, PDM, TDM, MIPI SWI3S)
• Proficiency in hardware/software co-design, including familiarity with RTL design concepts (e.g., System Verilog)
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across organizations

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 $205,400 and $308,500, 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.