Platform Firmware Engineer

Platform Firmware Engineer

The Core Technology Platform Firmware team builds the foundation that every product depends on - the first code that runs, the security model that protects it, and the boot architecture that brings it to life. You will work at the intersection of silicon and software, solving problems that don't have documented answers yet and shaping the firmware that defines how our products start, secure themselves, and perform. This is work where your decisions are etched into silicon and your craftsmanship ships to millions. You will contribute to boot architectures, security models, and hardware/software interfaces for new products, then bring them to life in the lab on first silicon and prototype hardware. You are the technical anchor for the platform's firmware deliverables - driving the system from first power-on through production hardening and into mass manufacturing. You will partner closely with hardware, silicon vendors, and security teams throughout the product lifecycle. We are looking for a resilient, self-driven engineer to own platform firmware deliverables from initial concept through mass production. You will work interchangeably with Apple Silicon and third-party vendor silicon depending on project requirements. This is a team that holds a high bar and has each other's backs - we anticipate risks before they become crises, we own the outcomes of our decisions, and we make each other better through honest, constructive feedback. When things go wrong, we learn from it and share what we learned to take the group forward.

Genuine passion for innovation and product development with experience from inception through delivery to customers. The Firmware Engineer will be individually responsible for all things firmware related. Architect, design, develop, and maintain hardware/software systems for Apple products. The individual will also be responsible for shaping firmware features from definition to launch with cross-functional teams in a highly dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

Define the boot flow, security model, and hardware/software interfaces for new products, including the full chain from ROM through early boot stages to handoff to higher-level software.

Drive "first-light" bring-up efforts on new boards and silicon - validating hardware functionality, isolating board-level issues alongside hardware engineers, and systematically working through errata and incomplete documentation.

Develop and ship ROM code with the defensive architecture and exhaustive review that immutable code demands.

Architect and implement Secure Boot sequences, Root of Trust establishment, and authenticated firmware loading.

Optimize the platform for power, boot time, and reliability through the entire development cycle.

Serve as the primary firmware point of contact for hardware, silicon, and security teams, representing firmware architecture in design reviews and driving resolution of cross-domain issues.

Proactively manage deliverables with frequent, structured updates to engineering leads and cross-functional partners - surfacing risks early and communicating timelines transparently.

Navigate complex build environments spanning multiple repositories, SDKs, and vendor-provided toolchains to maintain a coherent firmware deliverable.

Minimum Qualifications

BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent professional experience

7+ years of experience in low-level firmware, ROM development, or silicon-level bring-up

Proficiency in C and Assembly for resource-constrained environments (limited SRAM, no heap, no standard library)

Hands-on experience with ARM architectures (ARMv7/ARMv8, A/R/M profiles) at the register level, including exception models, MMU/MPU configuration, and cache coherency

Experience with early boot and Secure Boot implementation - reset vector handlers, clock and memory controller initialization, chain of trust establishment

Experience bringing up new board designs - validating power sequencing, clock trees, and peripheral connectivity on prototype hardware

Proficiency with hardware debugging tools including JTAG, SWD, logic analyzers, and protocol decoders

Shipped at least one product through a complete development lifecycle from silicon bring-up through mass production

Preferred Qualifications

MS in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Experience shipping multiple products through complete development lifecycles (EVT, DVT, PVT, and into mass production), with an understanding of how priorities, risks, and tradeoffs shift at each phase.

Direct experience developing and shipping ROM code in a production environment.

Familiarity with power state transitions and low-power firmware design.

Experience working directly with silicon teams on errata investigation and workaround development.

Track record of proactively identifying and mitigating technical risks ahead of schedule.

Experience reconciling cross-repo dependencies and maintaining firmware deliverables composed of components from multiple teams and vendors.

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 $147,400 and $272,100, 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.

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.