Audio System Quality Engineer

Audio System Quality Engineer

Are you interested in an exceptional opportunity to contribute on a highly motivated team, passionate about ensuring that quality user experiences happen on the world's most creative and engaging consumer audio electronics products? We are the Audio System Quality team, and we are seeking an Audio System Quality Engineer for advanced audio products like AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max! Our team plays a key role in the hardware/software development process, collaborating closely with firmware, software, and hardware teams to deliver the best audio experience for our customers. If you enjoy working on embedded devices and making a huge impact on product success, come join our team!

This high-visibility role is all about driving firmware quality to ensure exceptional customer experiences with Apple products. You will be responsible for creating and executing tests, identifying, reproducing, and isolating bugs through various testing methodologies. This highly cross-functional position requires strong technical and communication skills. You will collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, and software teams to debug issues, identify bottlenecks, and make critical decisions to uphold Apple's high-quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute comprehensive test plans to verify key features of products and software updates.
• Identify, reproduce, and isolate bugs using structured and open-ended testing methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, and software development teams to debug and resolve system-level issues.
• Analyze field issues to determine gaps in test coverage and improve product quality.
• Identify and drive key quality focus areas cross-functionally.
• Collect and present key performance metrics regularly to the executive team.
• Understand and interpret system architecture designs to thoroughly validate features and be able to explain technical details to senior quality leadership.
• Ensure quality is built into the product, making decisions to uphold Apple's high-quality standards and delight customers.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of experience in Quality Assurance.
• Proficiency in QA fundamentals, problem-solving, and analytical skills applied to manual test design and execution.
• Demonstrated capability to identify, track, and resolve hardware/software issues across teams, supported by clear bug reports.
• Proven experience working with firmware on embedded devices, coupled with a solid understanding of troubleshooting, and interpreting system logs etc.
• Exceptional communication skills and experience presenting findings to leadership.
• Proven ability to interpret system architecture and design for feature validation and effectively explain technical details to leadership.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems within large, cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven QA experience in delivering at least two consumer electronics products from concept to market.
• Strong advocate for quality, with good understanding of SQA methodologies & practices.
• Expertise in the hardware/software interplay of embedded systems, alongside working knowledge of Bluetooth protocols and/or audio digital signal processing.
• Experience using Gen AI & LLMs for work related efficiencies.
• Proven experience leading or managing team.
• Experience handling a lab environment and contractors.
• Ability to program or script in Python or other significant programming languages. (C++, Objective C, Ruby, JavaScript, etc.)

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 $134,800 and $245,800, 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.

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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.