Software Development Engineer – Systems

Apple; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental coverage

Retirement plan

Stock programs

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple's Video Engineering team in Cupertino seeks a Software Development Engineer in Test with a passion for high‑quality video experiences. You will design and build tests for video processing frameworks, codecs, and cross‑platform software across iOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

You will craft test cases, harnesses, and automation tools in C/C++, Objective-C/Swift, Python, and shell. You’ll apply CI/CD practices, triage failures, and help shape test strategy while collaborating with R&D teams

Qualifications

• BS and 10+ years relevant industry experience.
• 6+ years programming experience in C/C++, Objective-C/Swift, and Python.
• Hands-on experience using LLMs in software development, including building workflows with AI/LLM-based tools.
• Experience in building LLM-powered tooling — including prompt engineering, agent design, tool/API integration, and MCP-based integrations.
• Experience in test case development and software testing methodologies.
• Understanding of software engineering concepts with hands-on experience practicing CI/CD in software development.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement tests for video processing frameworks and codecs.
• Develop tests across iOS/macOS/tvOS/visionOS platforms.
• Create test cases, harnesses, and automation pipelines.
• Triage failures, root-cause analysis, and drive test strategy.
• Build LLM-based tools to automate testing workflows.

Skills

C/C++

Objective-C

Swift

Python

LLMs in software development

LLM tooling

Test case development

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

XCTest

PyTest

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

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. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something. Video Engineering is seeking a strong, experienced, self-motivated Software Development Engineer in Test with a passion for making all Apple product experience the best it can be. You will be working on the latest Apple products, ensuring that the video experience is the best in the world!

Description

In this role, your main responsibility will be test design and development for video processing frameworks and low-level software of video codecs, covering both functionality verification and quality measurement across all iOS/macOS/tvOS/visionOS platforms. The work targets image & video encoding/decoding, editing/post-processing, and machine learning based technologies.Your daily tasks will include developing software and tools to validate algorithms and code changes of projects, designing test cases, and architecting test harnesses. You will implement tests in C/C++, Objective-C, Swift, and Python/Shell scripting using test frameworks. Additionally, you will automate workflows in testing and quality evaluation pipelines, triage and root-cause failures, and drive early test strategy and planning. You will also build LLM-based tools and agentic workflows that extend what these pipelines can automate at scale.You will partner with R&D engineering teams and both internal and external cross-functional partners to ensure image and video frameworks/firmware/drivers deliver the highest quality video experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
• 6+ years programming experience in C/C++, Objective-C/Swift, and Python
• Hands-on experience using LLMs in software development, including building workflows with AI/LLM-based tools
• Experience in building LLM-powered tooling — including prompt engineering, agent design, tool/API integration, and MCP-based integrations
• Experience in test case development and software testing methodologies
• Understanding of software engineering concepts with hands-on experience practicing CI/CD in software development

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of software engineering and development lifecycles
• Experience in test development using frameworks such as XCTest or PyTest
• Experience with white-box / grey-box testing, API testing, mutation testing, static testing, or code coverage analysis
• Experience in image or video quality evaluation or model benchmarking and quality metrics
• Understanding of image or video codecs (e.g. AVC, HEVC, VP9, AV1) and video processing pipelines
• Excellent problem solving and debugging skills
• Great communication and negotiation skills, able to collaborate and work as a team
• Self-sufficient and self-motivated, and able to work independently and drive projects to closure in a timely manner

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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.