Sensing & Imaging Firmware Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

We live in a mobile and device-driven world where knowledge of the physical world around us is essential. Apple is meeting those needs as robustly and creatively as possible, and we're looking for people who want to help us achieve that commitment. The Imaging and Sensing Incubation team prototypes and develops design solutions for user experiences and new technologies across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac Books, and more.

Our team creates early-stage hardware systems integrating cameras, non vision sensors like IMUs, magnetometers, accelerometers, microphones, and ambient light sensors—including systems that enable Apple Intelligence features.

We offer a collaborative, inclusive, hands-on environment that cultivates engineering excellence, creativity, and innovation.

Apple's Incubation team is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to bring prototype hardware systems to life, systems essential to delivering future products, features, and Apple Intelligence capabilities.

You'll develop the complete software stack from hardware abstraction layer and drivers through OS integration and middleware, building multi-sensor systems from scratch and influencing hardware, algorithm and application design decisions. Work hands-on in the lab with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers while collaborating with world-class experts in electrical engineering, optics, sensors module, product design, software and system teams.

• Collaborate with system and cross functional teams to define requirements, scope and execute projects
• Develop firmware across the full stack: hardware abstraction layer, device drivers, RTOS, and middleware with robust error handling and recovery mechanisms
• Design and implement drivers for sensors and peripherals
• Implement communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, MIPI)
• Collaborate with hardware teams on component selection, schematic reviews, datasheet analysis, and board bring-up
• Design multi sensors data acquisition pipelines with timing constraints, synchronization, and calibration
• Build and maintain build systems, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing infrastructure, and APIs for test interfaces and validation frameworks
• Partner with iOS/macOS teams to integrate sensor data pipelines into Apple platforms
• Document firmware architecture and communicate technical concepts to cross-functional partners and leadership
• Support systems through the full lifecycle from design through production
• Drive exploration of emerging sensor technologies and novel sensing modalities, prototype early-stage concepts, and contribute to long-term technology roadmaps and architectural decisions for future Apple products

• Strong hardware bring-up and debugging skills with proficiency using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters
• Protocol implementation experience (I2C, SPI, UART, USB) and ability to read datasheets, schematics, and PCB layouts
• Experience with RTOS and device driver development including interrupt handling, task scheduling, and synchronization primitives
• Proficiency in C and C++ with strong Python programming skills for scripting and automation
• Excellent communication skills, can-do attitude, and ability to collaborate effectively across multi-functional teams
• BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience

• 8+ years relevant industry experience in embedded firmware development with proven track record from concept to production
• Experience with multi-sensor systems (cameras, IMUs, magnetometers, accelerometers, microphones, ALS) and iOS/macOS development (Swift, Xcode, Apple frameworks)
• Experience with SoC architectures (ARM Cortex-M/A, RISC-V, Apple silicon) and real time control systems
• CI/CD for embedded systems, build systems (CMake, Make), cross-compilation tool chains, and requirements gathering experience
• MS or PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering (or related field)