Firmware/Software System Engineering Program Manager

Cupertino, California, United States

Description

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas become extraordinary products with remarkable speed — and the people who make that happen are the ones who love the craft of building something the world has never seen. The Human Interface Devices (HID) organization sits at the heart of every Apple product experience: we are the team responsible for the hardware, firmware, and software that powers the way people touch, feel, and interact with Apple's most iconic products — from the precision of a MacBook trackpad and keyboard, to the intelligence inside AirPods and Apple TV Remote, to the seamless experiences embedded in iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

We are looking for an experienced, technically sharp Engineering Program Manager (EPM) who thrives at the intersection of embedded firmware, software systems, and cross-functional product delivery. This is not a coordinator role — it's a leadership role. You will own the end-to-end program plan for next-generation technologies, partnering deeply with firmware engineers, hardware designers, systems architects, and manufacturing teams to bring groundbreaking products to life.

In this highly visible role, you will lead programs across the full product development lifecycle — from pre-kickoff planning and architecture alignment through development, convergence, factory bring-up, and post-release field analysis. You'll operate across Apple — it will be you, the EPM, who creates the connective tissue between teams, drives clarity from ambiguity, and keeps the program moving with confidence.

If you've shipped consumer electronics products, know what it feels like to drive a firmware team through convergence under tight deadlines, and can translate complex technical tradeoffs into crisp executive communication — we want to talk to you.

Description

Own the program plan end-to-end — including schedule creation, critical path management, milestone tracking, and risk-mitigation planning across firmware, hardware, and system integration workstreams from concept through release.

Lead structured program reviews across the product development lifecycle — ensuring cross-functional alignment at every phase gate, from architecture and schedule reviews through validation strategy and release readiness.

Drive convergence with data — manage bug tracking, run regular bug review meetings with firmware and software DRIs, maintain burn-down plans, apply historical data for data-driven projections, and own the convergence story from feature complete to release.

Be the communication backbone — keep HID core teams, cross-functional partners, and leadership aligned with accurate, timely, and audience-tailored updates; distill complex technical developments into clear summaries for engineers and executives alike.

Identify, surface, and mitigate risk — partner with firmware and hardware technologists to proactively surface technical risk areas, propose mitigation strategies, and escalate to leadership when needed — without waiting to be asked.

Support factory and field readiness — collaborate with factory teams during hardware build stages, and drive early field failure analysis post-release to ensure no systemic issues reach customers undetected.

Build organizational clarity — set up communication infrastructure, establish defect tracking structures and screening workflows, and ensure HID is represented and aligned across cross-functional program gates.

Minimum Qualifications

BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

7+ years of relevant engineering program management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

MS is a plus. Equivalent hands-on industry experience in firmware or embedded systems program management will be considered in lieu of formal degree requirements.

7+ years of engineering program management experience in consumer electronics or embedded systems, with direct ownership of firmware, software, or HW/SW system integration programs from concept through mass production.

Solid technical foundation in embedded firmware and software systems — sufficient to engage meaningfully with engineers on architecture tradeoffs, integration dependencies, and debug escalations. Prior hands-on engineering experience in firmware, software, or systems is a strong plus.

Demonstrated experience managing HW/FW/SW co-development programs with multiple interdependent teams, including silicon bring-up, firmware feature development, factory qualification, and OS integration.

Proven ability to build and maintain program schedules that reflect real engineering complexity — identifying critical paths, tracking milestones, modeling risk, and recovering programs when things slip.

Strong convergence management skills: experience running bug triage, tracking bug burn-down, and producing data-driven projections toward release readiness.

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills — able to adapt style and content for engineers, cross-functional partners, and senior executives; equally comfortable writing a crisp 1-pager and presenting live to leadership.

Proven ability to operate in ambiguity — clarify scope where it doesn't exist, build structure where there is none, raise risk where others stay silent, and make decisions with incomplete information.

Familiarity with Agile and iterative development models as applied to firmware and embedded software programs.

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-directed — you track the things others miss, follow up without being asked, and keep a dozen open threads without dropping one.

Demonstrates AI fluency applied to EPM work — actively uses AI tools (LLM assistants, agentic workflows, or similar) to accelerate program deliverables such as executive summaries, risk dashboards, and status communications; goes beyond basic usage to integrate AI into daily workflows, while applying sound judgment to review and validate outputs before they reach stakeholders.

Self-directed learner in the AI space — stays current on the evolving AI tooling landscape through hands-on experimentation and self-directed discovery; has a point of view on where AI accelerates EPM work and where human judgment remains irreplaceable, and can articulate new responsibilities AI creates around output quality, data integrity, and compliance awareness.

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 $144,600 and $263,800, 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. 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

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace


Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Company

Apple

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

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