Software Development Engineer – Systems

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a senior Software Development Engineer in Test to design and implement test strategies for video processing frameworks across iOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

You will create tests in C/C++, Objective-C, Swift, and Python, build testing tools, and automate QA pipelines, partnering with R&D to ensure top-tier video quality across Apple devices. The role emphasizes LLM-based tooling, test automation, and cross-functional collaboration to triage issues and guide early testing

Qualifications

• BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
• Proficient in C/C++, Objective-C/Swift and Python.
• Hands-on experience with LLMs in software development and AI workflows.
• Experience in building LLM-powered tooling and MCP-based integrations.
• CI/CD in software development and test automation.

Responsibilities

• Design test and development for video processing frameworks and low-level software of video codecs.
• Develop tests using C/C++, Objective-C, Swift, Python/Shell scripting.
• Build test harnesses and automation workflows for testing and quality evaluation pipelines.
• Triage and root-cause failures and drive early test strategy and planning.
• Collaborate with R&D teams and cross-functional partners to ensure high-quality video experiences.

Skills

C/C++

Objective-C/Swift

Python

LLM tooling

CI/CD

Test design

macOS/linux

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

XCTest

PyTest

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. 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 experience6+ years programming experience in C/C++, Objective-C/Swift, and Python6+ years development experience on macOS or unix/linux platformHands-on experience using LLMs in software development, including building workflows with AI/LLM-based toolsExperience in building LLM-powered tooling — including prompt engineering, agent design, tool/API integration, and MCP-based integrationsExperience in test case development and software testing methodologiesUnderstanding of software engineering concepts with hands-on experience practicing CI/CD in software development

Preferred Qualifications

Strong knowledge of software engineering and development lifecyclesExperience in test development using frameworks such as XCTest or PyTestExperience with white-box / grey-box testing, API testing, mutation testing, static testing, or code coverage analysisExperience in image or video quality evaluation or model benchmarking and quality metricsUnderstanding of image or video codecs (e.g. AVC, HEVC, VP9, AV1) and video processing pipelinesExcellent problem solving and debugging skillsGreat communication and negotiation skills, able to collaborate and work as a teamSelf-sufficient and self-motivated, and able to work independently and drive projects to closure in a timely manner