Software Engineer - Darwin Server, Core OS

Apple Inc.; Cupertino, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare and dental coverage

Educational reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Cupertino is seeking a Software Engineer for the Darwin Server team within Core OS. You will develop foundational OS components and server-focused features, contributing to cloud and private compute environments.

You will engage in problem definition, design, implementation, testing, and debugging, collaborating with client teams and Apple technologists to enable server deployments and cross-functional integrations.

Qualifications

• Experience with UNIX-like systems and OS architecture fundamentals.
• Proficiency in a systems programming language (Swift, C, Rust, or Go).
• Familiarity with provisioning/orchestration (cloud-init, Kubernetes) and server observability.

Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of the software development cycle from design to debugging.
• Work with client teams to build features for Darwin to meet development requirements.
• Collaborate with Apple technologists to enable server environments.

Skills

UNIX-like systems

Operating systems architecture

Swift

C

Rust

Go

cloud-init

Kubernetes

launchd

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

OCI

Containers

OpenTelemetry

Kubernetes

Job description

Software Engineer - Darwin Server, Core OS

Cupertino, California, United States Software and Services

The Darwin Server team in Core OS is looking for enthusiastic engineers interested in developing system software for Apple’s operating systems. Darwin is the UNIX-like foundation at the heart of all Apple’s operating systems, stretching from the kernel up through low-level user components. The Darwin Server team is responsible for ensuring this foundation is adaptable for use in server environments, such as with the Private Cloud Compute service that powers Apple Intelligence.In this role, you’ll have an opportunity to dive into complex technical challenges, shaping OS architecture and design of cross-functional features, actively influencing our technical direction. We are seeking candidates who are eager to learn, tackle new problems, and drive innovation through their work, while actively mentoring and supporting each other in our quest to learn and grow as technical leaders. Our environment values diverse perspectives, ideas, and collaborative styles, with the goal of creating opportunities for everyone to thrive and grow.

Description

You will be responsible for working on a range of technologies that form the foundation of Apple’s operating systems, with a focus on improving these technologies for use in server and cloud environments.

• Building technologies to enable server application packaging and distribution (like OCI images or Flatpak)
• Enabling Darwin to be integrated with cloud management and orchestration technologies (similar to cloud-init or Kubernetes)
• Improving Darwin’s support for observability at scale (e.g. OpenTelemetry)
• Developing new security or privacy features to improve Private Cloud Compute

An engineer on the Darwin Server team would regularly:

• Participate in all phases of the software development cycle: from problem definition and design, through implementation, testing, and debugging
• Work with client teams to build the features required for Darwin to meet their development and product requirements
• Partner with technology owners throughout Apple to enable their technologies for use in server environments
• Engage cross-functionally to effect technical change across Apple

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with UNIX-like systems
• Strong understanding of operating systems architecture and systems programming fundamentals
• Proficient in a systems programming language such as Swift, C, Rust, or Go (much of our newer work is in Swift).
• Familiarity with how operating systems integrate with cloud infrastructure — such as provisioning and orchestration (cloud-init, Kubernetes), application packaging (OCI, containers), and server observability/diagnostics
• Experience developing system daemons/services (e.g., launchd-managed services), libraries, or designing APIs
• BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent knowledge and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building operating system infrastructure to support cloud computing
• Practical understanding of security and trust principles such as certificates, software signing, attestation, and policy-based configuration validation.
• Ability to systematically troubleshoot issues across the entire technology stack
• Perspective on how successful teams build and operate cloud technologies
• Involvement in open source technologies and development communities such as Darwin, FreeBSD, Linux, etc
• Passion for raising the bar for privacy and security in cloud computing

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.