Haptics Firmware Engineer

Apple is seeking a Haptics Firmware Engineer to advance the Taptic Engine firmware across iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac devices. This onsite role centers on prototype bring-up, designing for low-latency haptics, and collaborating across design, hardware, and software teams to deliver robust firmware for cutting-edge products.

Location, compensation, and qualifications reflect the structured details for this role, anchored in Cupertino, California with a competitive yearly salary range and the expected educational background.

Details

• Location: Cupertino, CA (onsite)
• Salary: USD 147,400 - 272,100 per year
• Education: B.S. in CS/CE/ECE or related fields
• Experience: 3+ years

Responsibilities

• Contribute across the full product development cycle within a vertically integrated technology team to advance haptic features.
• Prototype and demonstrate proof-of-concept demos to help Design teams explore and evaluate new interactions.
• Architect low-latency, end-to-end haptics solutions that integrate touch and force sensors; gather requirements, draft block diagrams, and review hardware schematics; define communication protocols, operating modes, and feature requirements with software driver teams.
• Develop and document firmware features on prototype hardware and custom silicon, integrating actuator control algorithms with tight real-time requirements using DSP concepts; collaborate with factory teams to meet test and calibration needs.
• Bench-test firmware to ensure performance, power, and thermal targets; debug and root-cause issues with QA to deliver high-quality, robust firmware to production.

Minimum qualifications

• B.S. in CS/CE/ECE or related field with 3+ years of relevant industry experience
• Expertise in C or C++ for embedded systems
• Experience interfacing microcontrollers with sensors and actuators (e.g., LRA, VCA, Piezo)
• Knowledge of embedded peripherals and protocols (DMA, USB, UART, SPI, I2C)
• Ability to apply software best practices to firmware design in bare-metal or RTOS environments
• Board bring-up and debug skills with JTAG, mixed-signal oscilloscopes, and/or logic analyzers
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools and LLM applications in software/firmware development
• Independent work ethic with strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Preferred qualifications

• M.S. with advanced coursework in Embedded Systems, Controls, and/or Signal Processing
• Working knowledge of closed-loop control systems and experience implementing low-level control algorithms in embedded environments
• Production DSP or FPGA firmware development for haptic or audio applications

Technologies

• C, C++, RTOS
• DSP concepts, DMA
• USB, UART, SPI, I2C
• JTAG, Oscilloscopes, Logic analyzers

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Discounted products and free services
• Reimbursement for certain educational expenses (including tuition)
• Discretionary bonuses or commission payments
• Relocation eligibility
• Discretionary restricted stock unit awards
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan