Firmware Engineering Manager

Lead a team of talented firmware engineers developing next-generation Human Interface Device (HID) technologies for Apple products. This role combines technical leadership with people management to deliver innovative input solutions that millions of customers use daily, including Pencil, Mac Trackpad and Keyboard, Siri Remote, and more! The HID FW team designs, builds, and delivers high-quality embedded firmware and software for embedded systems, custom sensing silicon, and SOC co-processors across all Apple products, focusing on human-machine interface and bridging hardware and software for optimal interaction experiences.

Must Have

• Guide team in delivery of production-level firmware into constrained sensor stacks and embedded processors.
• Make strategic technical product decisions that positively affect the engineering team’s ability to deliver embedded technologies.
• Contribute to system architecture alongside firmware/software leads, and actively engage in debugging and brainstorming when issues arise.
• Represent the firmware team in multi-functional and executive meetings.
• Provide employees career development opportunities and maintain a frequent, ongoing constructive feedback loop with them.
• Encourage innovation and technical growth in their employees through hands-on mentoring and support.
• Determine project prioritization, task assignment, and project scheduling alongside the engineering program manager.
• Provide annual performance evaluations and determine compensation distribution for their employees.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years experience in a lead firmware role and/or 2+ years experience in a firmware engineering manager role.
• Understanding of SoC, microcontroller, and system architecture.
• Experience with sensing technologies such as touch, force, pressure, etc.
• Experience driving technical innovation at multiple layers in the stack, as well as up and down the organization.
• Experience leading down-selection of features and investigations based on prioritization of needs and risks.
• Experience shipping sensing solutions in applications such as touch screens, medical electronics, aviation sensors, etc.
• Direct experience as a lead delivering firmware for shipping consumer electronics products at large scale.
• Experience with hardware design, review, and bringup.
• Experience with modern development practices including continuous integration, automated testing, and code review processes.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with ARM-based processors.
• Familiarity with user input device firmware.
• Familiarity with MacOS/Unix systems.
• Effective communication skills — listening, processing, and contributing both within team and cross-functionally.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive teams and developing talent from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to navigate technical and organizational challenges.

Perks & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Range of discounted products and free services
• Reimbursement for certain educational expenses (including tuition) for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple
• Opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs
• Eligibility for discretionary restricted stock unit awards
• Option to purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Eligibility for discretionary bonuses or commission payments
• Relocation assistance

Lead a team of talented firmware engineers developing next-generation Human Interface Device (HID) technologies for Apple products. This role combines technical leadership with people management to deliver innovative input solutions that millions of customers use daily, including Pencil, Mac Trackpad and Keyboard, Siri Remote, and more!

The Human Interface Device Firmware (HID FW) team designs, builds, and delivers high-quality embedded firmware and software for embedded systems, custom sensing silicon, and SOC co-processors across all Apple products. Our focus is the human-machine interface as we bridge Hardware and Software to enable the best interaction experiences. We work with Product Design, Electrical Engineering, Silicon Design, Algorithms, Software, and UI teams to converge on incredible user experiences and best-in-class embedded architecture, optimized for latency, performance, power, memory, cost, and other system constraints. We are seeking a passionate engineering manager to lead a team responsible for a variety of touch and force sensing products including  Pencil, Mac trackpad and keyboard, Siri Remote, and other accessories. Ideally, this leader is familiar with ARM-based processors, user input device firmware, and MacOS/Unix systems.

• We are looking for individuals who will:
• Guide their team in delivery of production-level firmware into constrained sensor stacks and embedded processors
• Make strategic technical product decisions that positively affect the engineering team’s ability to deliver embedded technologies
• Contribute to system architecture alongside firmware/software leads, and actively engage in debugging and brainstorming when issues arise
• Represent the firmware team in multi-functional and executive meetings
• Provide employees career development opportunities and maintain a frequent, ongoing constructive feedback loop with them
• Encourage innovation and technical growth in their employees through hands-on mentoring and support
• Determine project prioritization, task assignment, and project scheduling alongside the engineering program manager
• Provide annual performance evaluations and determine compensation distribution for their employees

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience and 5+ years experience in a lead firmware role and/or 2+ years experience in a firmware engineering manager role
• Understanding of SoC, microcontroller, and system architecture
• Experience with sensing technologies such as touch, force, pressure, etc.
• Experience driving technical innovation at multiple layers in the stack, as well as up and down the organization

• Experience leading down-selection of features and investigations based on prioritization of needs and risks
• Effective communication skills — listening, processing, and contributing both within team and cross-functionally
• Experience shipping sensing solutions in applications such as touch screens, medical electronics, aviation sensors, etc.
• Direct experience as a lead delivering firmware for shipping consumer electronics products at large scale
• Experience with hardware design, review, and bringup
• Experience with modern development practices including continuous integration, automated testing, and code review processes
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive teams and developing talent from diverse backgrounds
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to navigate technical and organizational challenges

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 $188,200 and $325,500, 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.