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Embedded Real Time Critical Control Firmware Engineer

San Diego, California, United StatesHardware

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Summary

Posted: Apr 26, 2026

Role Number:200660112-3543

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. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something — you'll add something.
As a Distinguished Engineer specializing in real-time critical control, you will define the technical vision and multi-year architecture for Apple's embedded 5G/4G/multimode cellular firmware effort across silicon design groups responsible for the most advanced cellular SoCs in the industry. This role demands a recognized industry expert who drives organization-wide technical strategy, shapes hardware/software co-design at the earliest stages of silicon planning, and elevates the entire engineering organization through deep mentorship and thought leadership. You will set the standard for firmware excellence, influence cross-functional roadmaps, and represent Apple's technical point of view in industry forums and standards bodies.

Description

Define the long-range technical strategy for constrained real-time firmware across cellular SoC generations. Drive system-level architectural decisions that span algorithm design, AI/ML integration, and hardware co-design. Serve as the primary technical authority for the organization on embedded firmware, setting direction that influences product roadmaps and silicon investments over multi-year horizons.

Responsibilities

• Architect and drive the end-to-end technical strategy for algorithms including power gating, tracking loops, and physical layer procedures, setting design patterns adopted across the firmware organization.
• Define and champion the validation philosophy and methodology for the firmware organization, establishing frameworks and quality standards that scale across multiple programs and teams.
• Lead the pre-silicon emulation and virtual platform strategy in partnership with hardware teams; drive co-design decisions that reduce firmware bring-up risk across future SoC generations.
• Define the tooling and infrastructure roadmap for build, formal verification, and test; drive adoption of emerging methodologies (including AI-assisted verification) across the organization.
• Provide deep technical mentorship to senior and principal engineers; build engineering culture and raise the technical bar across the firmware community.
• Partner with silicon architecture, SoC design, and product teams to influence multi-generation hardware/software co-design decisions at the earliest planning stages.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS and a minimum of 18 years of relevant industry experience, with a demonstrable track record of technical leadership and broad organizational impact.
• Experience with design and implementation of bare metal control firmware which is highly optimized for cycles and memory.
• Deep understanding of the difference between design for a software platform and a highly constrained firmware environment.
• Demonstrated history of owning and delivering multi-generational firmware programs across the complete hardware/software lifecycle, from early silicon architecture through production.
• Recognized expertise in architecting complex, cross-functional system-level solutions that span firmware, hardware, and protocol layers; experience driving architectural decisions with organization-wide adoption.
• Fundamental facility with C and C++, compilers, build and source code control tools.
• Solid understanding of computer architecture with particular emphasis on the HW/SW interfaces of high-speed communication subsystems.
• Some mainstream OS application-level development and Python or Perl scripting experience.
• Strong foundation in Machine Learning and Deep Learning:
• Experience with ML algorithms and deep learning architectures (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, Transformers).
• Proven track record of applying ML/AI techniques to production firmware systems, not only as a productivity tool but as a core design principle for algorithm design and parameter estimation.
• Strategic use of generative AI to accelerate design, verification, and team productivity at an organizational scale.

Preferred Qualifications

• Theoretical understanding of the implementation of AI/ML Algorithms:
• In-depth knowledge of the mathematical foundations of various AI/ML algorithms and how to apply to parameter estimation algorithms.
• Understanding of HW architectures and programming models for how to target algorithms to AIML acceleration HW.
• Understanding of design for asymmetric multiprocessing solutions.
• Deep expertise in 5G and 4G 3GPP protocols with experience contributing to or tracking standards development; ability to translate standards evolution into firmware architecture strategy.
• Advanced understanding of wireless communications theory and system design, sufficient to engage with modem algorithm teams and make authoritative HW/SW co-design trade-offs.
• Extensive experience driving silicon prototyping and pre-silicon bring-up strategies across multiple SoC generations; recognized as an authority in pre-silicon firmware methodology.
• Deep, organization-shaping expertise with memory-constrained RTOS and concurrent programming, including architectural contributions to RTOS design or scheduling policy for constrained cellular firmware environments.
• History of growing and retaining senior technical talent; recognized as a mentor and multiplier within a large engineering organization.

Pay & 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 $289,500 and $463,100, 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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.

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