Firmware Engineer at Apple in San Jose

Job description

• Posted:
• Sep 17, 2026
• 40
• 200684546-0836
• The Accessories team is seeking a highly motivated Firmware Engineer with a strong foundation in engineering principles and a deep passion for new technologies. In this role, you will be at the forefront of researching, developing, and innovating solutions for the next generation of Apple and Beats accessory products. You will play a critical role in the product development lifecycle, turning early concepts into fully realized, world-class devices. This role requires an energetic individual who thrives in a fast-paced, rapid-development environment and is ready to innovate.
• The Firmware Engineer will be part of a team that architect, design, develop, and maintain hardware and software systems for Accessory products. This engineer will also perform characterization, test and validation of each design; analyze results and create reports/presentations when needed.
• This role requires an energetic and motivated individual ready to innovate. Experience in a quick paced rapid development group is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• System Integration & Delivery: Driving overall system delivery and ensuring all components integrate successfully on schedule.
• Hardware Bring-Up: Taking ownership of initial hardware bring-up. When receiving new hardware for the first time, you will read schematics, validate board designs, and methodically test different chips and components to ensure they are functioning and communicating correctly.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinating seamlessly across numerous engineering teams to align hardware and software efforts.
• Software Development: Executing software feature design, development, and rapid prototyping.
• Testing & Validation: Performing characterization, testing, and validation of each design. You will analyze test results and create detailed reports or presentations to share with stakeholders.

Requirements

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or an equivalent field with a strong software focus.
• 1+ year of professional experience in embedded firmware development for high-volume consumer accessories or mobile hardware.
• Demonstrable coding skills with a heavy emphasis on C.
• Extensive hands-on experience in hardware bring-up, reading schematics, and debugging chip-level functionality on new hardware builds.
• Proven experience with system integration and prototyping on low-power microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M/R/A architectures).
• Hands-on experience with standard bus interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple cross-functional groups under minimal supervision.
• Background in power delivery, power management, battery charging architectures, or sensor integration (accelerometers, thermal sensors).
• Familiarity with Bluetooth (BT) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies, or proprietary short-range wireless protocols.
• Experience working with compiler toolchains, RTOS environments, and automated firmware test frameworks.

Skills

Required

• Highly motivated
• Energetic
• Deep passion for new technologies
• C programming
• Embedded firmware development
• Hardware bring-up
• Reading schematics
• Debugging chip-level functionality
• System integration
• Compiler toolchains
• RTOS environments
• Automated firmware test frameworks

Benefits

• 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 $129,300 and $194,700, 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.