• Jobs

• View All Jobs

• Companies

• Advice

• Coaching

• Newsletter

• Employers

• Sign In

• Saved Companies

• Account Settings

• Sign Out

Apple

Kernel Engineer

• Embedded Runtimes

3 weeks ago• Cupertino, CA
Viewed on February 1, 2026
Apply on company site

About Us

Working at Apple means doing more than you ever thought possible and having more impact than you ever imagined.

• Size: 10000+ employees
• Industry: Technology, Information Technology, Software, Consumer Goods & Services

View Company Profile:

Are you a big-picture thinker who loves setting ambitious goals? Do you have a passion for understanding how each line of code affects all the others? In the Core Operating Systems Group, we work on fully integrated operating systems that support a holistic Apple experience providing unified vision of computing to our customers. Your dedication to cross-disciplinary collaboration will help develop groundbreaking technologies such as iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS. By crafting these distinct, holistic user experiences, you'll continue to uphold and advance the excellence people expect from Apple devices.

We are looking for an exceptional software engineer to work on embedded kernel technologies which is being used by every Apple CPU core, SoC and device. In the Embedded Runtimes team, we work on a core kernel and runtime technology and you have the opportunity to make a major impact in the way that Apple vertically integrates hardware and software stacks. Our environment champions product innovation, rapid product iteration, and a liberating amount of autonomy. In this rare and highly visible role, you are at the center of Apple's efforts, influencing and assisting teams multi-functionally to provide best embedded kernel and OS services across Apple's product line.

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Cupertino, CA delivered to your inbox every week.
Email Address

Send me The Muse newsletters for the best in career advice and job search tips.

Get jobs!
By signing up, you agree to our Description

Design and implement embedded kernel technologies, drivers, and supporting infrastructure. Work with multi-functional teams to bring up, develop and debug embedded software development environment for new platforms, products, and prototype systems. Help define the software roadmap for new embedded kernel and runtime features and supporting a range of hardware platforms, including i Phone, i Pad, Apple Watch, AppleTV, Vision Pro, and Mac. Contribute to spec and requirements and features for future hardware and custom silicon.

","responsibilities":"Develop real-time operating system components for embedded subsystems across multiple hardware platforms

Debug complex low-level software issues using specialized debugging tools and techniques in resource-constrained environments

Implement hardware abstraction layers and communication protocols between embedded processors and main system components

Optimize kernel code for real-time performance within strict memory and power consumption constraints

Design and implement comprehensive testing frameworks for embedded kernel components across diverse hardware configurations

Ensure cross-platform software compatibility across multiple device architectures and system-on-chip variants

Participate in collaborative code review processes following industry-standard software development practices and quality assurance protocols

Apply expertise in C/C++ programming with deep understanding of embedded systems fundamentals including concurrent programming, hardware interfaces, and kernel development principles

Preferred Qualifications:

Ability to comprehend SoC spec

Experience in silicon and pre-silicon bring-up

Experience in participating in hardware and software design reviews.

Experience with debuggers such as JTAG, gdb, lldb, etc

Experience developing tools using Python

Experience with code management tools such as Git

Experience with ticket tracking tools such as JIRA

Bachelor or Master degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering

Minimum Qualifications:

Highly proficient in kernel and driver or embedded firmware development in C and C++

A fundamental knowledge of embedded processors, with in-depth knowledge of real time operating system concepts

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Highly professional, with the ability to deliver proven work on tight schedules

Evidence of driving technical innovation

BS degree

5 years of relevant industry experience

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 .

Client-provided location(s): Cupertino, CAJob ID: apple-200635427-0836_rxr-660Employment Type: OTHERPosted: 2026-01-07T19:13:48Apply on company site

Perks and Benefits

Health and Wellness

Parental Benefits

Work Flexibility

Office Life and Perks

Vacation and Time Off

Financial and Retirement

Professional Development

Diversity and Inclusion

Company Videos

Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at Apple.
0 seconds of 1 minute, 11 seconds Volume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts Enabled Disabled Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ?Play/PauseSPACEIncrease Volume↑Decrease Volume↓Seek Forward→Seek Backward←Captions On/Offc Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf Mute/Unmutem Decrease Caption Size-Increase Caption Size+ or =Seek %0-9

Next Up Working at Apple- Recruiting01:10

Subtitle Settings Off English Font Color White:

Font Opacity100%
Font Size100%
Font Familysans-serif

Character Edge None:

Edge Color Black:

Background Color Black:

Background Opacity75%

Window Color Black:

Window Opacity0%
Reset White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%Arial Courier Georgia Impact Lucida Console Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MSVerdana None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop Shadow White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan100%75%50%25%0%White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan100%75%50%25%0%
facebook
linkedin
x
tumblr
reddit
pinterest
Email
Linkhttps://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/k659uZT3Copied

Live00:0001:1101:11

More Videos

• 01:11Apple
• Join Us
• Client Provided Video01:10Working at Apple- Recruiting
  Close
  Apply on company site

Similar Jobs

Virtual Memory Kernel Engineer Apple Cupertino, CALinux Kernel Engineer Apple Seattle, WAVirtual Memory Kernel Engineer Apple Cupertino, CA

Suggested Searches

senior jobs Apple jobs All jobs

Search Additional Jobs

Kernel Engineer Jobs in Cupertino, CAJobs in Cupertino, CAThe Muse LogoA logo with "the muse" in white text.

of Use

• Popular Jobs

• New York Jobs

• San Francisco Jobs

• Seattle Jobs

• Engineering Jobs

• Marketing Jobs

• Information Technology Jobs

• Salaries

Get Involved

• For Employers
• The Muse Book: The New Rules of Work
• For Career Coaches
• Tell A Friend

Join The Conversation:

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Twitter

• Pinterest

• Instagram