Sr. Systems Software Developer, Vision Products Group

Apple Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 184,700 - 324,800; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Sunnyvale is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Developer for the Vision Products Group to design, build, and integrate low‑level systems software across processors and ML accelerators for next‑gen vision devices.

You will work with SoC architects and cross‑functional teams to optimize performance, power, security, and privacy, delivering kernel drivers, libraries, and daemons across embedded cores.

Qualifications

• 5‑10+ years of proven systems software experience.
• Proficiency in C/C++.
• Strong knowledge of operating systems and embedded software development fundamentals.
• Good working knowledge of the ARM architecture.
• Creative, collaborative, and product‑focused.
• Familiarity with Gen AI coding tools. Demonstrated ability to use them for design, code generation, and debugging.
• Bachelor's or Masters in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test critical infrastructural systems software components.
• Understand System Limitations: Analyze system constraints and design efficient systems software solutions to address them effectively.
• Collaborate with Cross‑Functional Teams: Foster collaboration with other teams to present and refine proposals.
• Identify Performance and Latency Issues: Monitor and identify performance and latency problems within systems.
• Identify Security and Privacy Vulnerabilities: Assess security and privacy gaps and provide appropriate solutions to mitigate these risks.

Skills

C/C++

Operating systems

ARM architecture

Gen AI tooling

Teamwork

Embedded software

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/CE

Tools

AI accelerators

Job description

Sr. Systems Software Developer, Vision Products Group

Sunnyvale, California, United States Software and Services

The Vision Products Group is seeking an exceptional software engineer to design, develop, and integrate systems software across high-performance, energy-efficient systems that power our next-generation intelligent vision products. In this highly collaborative role, you will be at the forefront of efforts to influence hardware design, utilize existing hardware, including machine learning accelerators, diverse software and operating systems powering different processor flavors. You will be part of a team responsible for designing, building, and maintaining systems software such as kernel drivers, runtime libraries, frameworks, software running on low‑power embedded cores, and daemons that power novel vision products with a focus on performance, power efficiency, security, privacy, and machine intelligence. We are looking for a motivated systems software engineer with a genuine passion for solving complex and challenging systems software problems that possesses strong analytical and communication skills, capable of driving highly cross‑functional collaborations across teams at Apple.

Description

We are seeking a skilled and highly motivated systems software engineer to join our Systems Software and Architecture team at Apple’s Vision Products Group, focused on designing and building low‑level systems software and frameworks that run Apple’s vision products. You will be working in a highly cross‑functional, collaborative environment, working closely with SoC architects, operating systems teams, accelerator core teams, embedded coprocessor teams, and the Security and Privacy teams, among others. You will design, develop, and integrate novel systems software with a high focus on performance, power efficiency, security, and privacy. You will be solving novel complex problems across all Apple devices with a focus on Vision Products and intelligent devices ecosystems.

You are the right match if:
• You possess strong skills in systems software design and programming.
• You are passionate about solving challenging systems software problems.
• You are able to traverse the software stack at any level.
• You have a good understanding of operating systems.
• You have a good understanding of the ARM architecture.
• You are skilled at the art of communicating and enjoy a highly collaborative environment.
• You are able to acquire new skills and languages.
• You have a keen interest in security and privacy.
• You have an interest in working with foundation models.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test critical infrastructural systems software components.
• Understand System Limitations: Analyze system constraints and design efficient systems software solutions to address them effectively.
• Collaborate with Cross‑Functional Teams: Foster collaboration with other teams to present and refine proposals.
• Identify Performance and Latency Issues: Monitor and identify performance and latency problems within systems.
• Identify Security and Privacy Vulnerabilities: Assess security and privacy gaps and provide appropriate solutions to mitigate these risks.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5‑10+ years of proven systems software experience.
• Proficiency in C/C++.
• Strong knowledge of operating systems and embedded software development fundamentals.
• Good working knowledge of the ARM architecture.
• Creative, collaborative, and product‑focused.
• Familiarity with Gen AI coding tools. Demonstrated ability to use them for design, code generation, and debugging.
• Bachelors or Masters in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience building low‑level systems software and frameworks.
• Strong working experience with extensible software design and architecture.
• Strong working knowledge of operating systems’ inner workings, such as memory management, interrupt handling, and scheduling.
• Experience with AI accelerators.
• Strong working knowledge of LLMs and foundation models.
• Demonstrated innovative and creative thinking capabilities.

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.