Apple

Senior Audio Systems Architect

Apple$150K — $200K *
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience
  • 10+ years of relevant engineering experience across silicon, firmware, drivers, and OS frameworks
  • Excellent programming skills in C and C++ with strong fundamentals in OOP and real-time systems
  • Strong understanding of multi-core SoC architecture and audio fundamentals
  • Proven track record of leading technical design from concept through production across multiple product lines
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical alignment
  • Experience with AI-driven automated workflows and tools in engineering

Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end audio systems architecture for Apple products
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on architectural decisions
  • Prototype and code to address systemic issues
  • Drive the adoption of AI-assisted engineering workflows
  • Develop custom capabilities for AI agents interacting with systems
  • Review hardware schematics and support pre-silicon validation
  • Lead technical design from concept to mass production

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Dynamic and inclusive work environment
  • Collaborative team culture
  • State-of-the-art resources and technology
  • Work on cutting-edge audio technology
Full Job Description
In this role you will own the end-to-end audio systems architecture spanning silicon, firmware, kernel drivers, and the user-space frameworks that power every Apple product. You'll partner deeply with silicon, EE, acoustics, ML, and framework teams to make the architectural calls that define audio on Apple platforms several years out - from clocking and DMA topology on next-generation SoCs, through secure firmware partitioning, all the way up to the APIs that third-party developers build on. This is a hands-on architect role: you'll prototype, write code, lead deep-dive investigations into systemic issues, and convert those findings into durable architectural fixes. We are looking for someone who is a force multiplier - an engineer who has materially adopted AI-assisted engineering into their daily practice and can show concrete examples of where coding agents, LLM-driven analysis, and tool-calling workflows have changed how they work. You will be expected not only to use these tools fluently yourself, but to identify the highest-leverage workflows for the broader audio organization, prototype them, and drive their adoption across firmware, driver, and framework teams.

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, with demonstrated ownership of cross-stack architecture spanning silicon, firmware, drivers, and OS frameworks Excellent programming skills in C and C++, with strong fundamentals in OOP, real-time systems, and low-level performance Strong understanding of multi-core SoC architecture, DMA, interrupt handling, power management, and RTOS internals Hands-on experience with audio fundamentals: sample rates, clocking, buffering, latency, I2S/TDM/SoundWire, PCM/PDM, codecs, and DSP pipelines. Comfortable reviewing hardware schematics and partnering with EE and silicon design teams on register-level interfaces and pre-silicon validation. Proven track record of leading technical design from concept through mass production across multiple product lines simultaneously. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to align executives, peer architects, and individual contributors on a shared technical direction.

MS or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field. Proven experience designing, building, and deploying AI-driven automated workflows and tools in a production engineering context. Experience using LLMs and autonomous agents to solve complex engineering problems - code generation, log and trace analysis, automated triage, large-scale refactors. Hands-on experience developing custom \"skills\" and tool-calling capabilities for AI agents to interact with APIs, databases, build systems, and internal software frameworks. Familiarity with on-device ML inference paths and audio ML features (speech, noise control, spatial audio). Experience with secure firmware environments, exclaves, or other trusted execution domains on embedded SoCs. Track record of building tools, automation, or internal infrastructure that scaled the impact of teams beyond your direct contributions. Ability to identify and develop solutions to broad, systemic problems across complex hardware and software environments. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and make sound decisions with incomplete information.

About Apple

Apple is a corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple provides many products and services, including iPhone; iPad; iPod; Mac; Apple TV; a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications; the iOS and OS X operating systems; iCloud; and accessories, service, and support offerings. It sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, direct sales force and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers to the consumer and also sells third-party iPhone, iPad, Mac and iPod compatible products, including application software and accessories through its online and retail stores. Introduced in 1984, the Macintosh was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). That feature and others such as an improved floppy drive design and a low-cost hard drive that made data retrieval faster helped Apple cultivate a reputation for innovation. Apple was named as the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world from 2008 to 2012 by the Fortune magazine. The company was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Gerald Wayne on April 1, 1976, and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Apple Careers

Join Apple, a place where extraordinary people gather to do their best work. Our ever-expanding global team is at the forefront of innovation and leadership in the tech industry. At Apple, we're not just building products—we're crafting the kind of wonder that revolutionizes entire industries. It's the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Work You’ll Do Embark on a journey with Apple’s market-leading team to help some of the world’s most influential companies navigate their path to digital mastery with cutting-edge technology and services. Transform industries and touch lives with your unique ideas at Apple. Here, you’ll lead through a unique position at the intersection of technology, creativity, and robust industry expertise. Collaborate with a global team of professionals who are at the top of their game in technology and design. Apple isn’t just a company, it’s a community of innovators and passionate thinkers. Introducing the Apple Innovation and Leadership Initiative We are building a market-leading team to drive our efforts in delivering groundbreaking solutions and services. At Apple, job opportunities are abundant, offering you the chance to explore diverse roles from engineering to marketing, all designed to empower your career growth. Do Innovative Work Join the largest group of creative and technical experts in the world—professionals dedicated to redefining what’s possible through technology and innovation. Deliver targeted solutions through a depth and breadth of expertise that’s unmatched, driving forward our commitment to excellence and leadership in every project we undertake. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in a wide range of projects utilizing Apple’s technology and resources. Harness the unparalleled capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development that only Apple can offer. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with limitless opportunities at Apple. Go as far as your ambition takes you with unmatched training, development, and certification support. Explore Discover how Apple is leading the way in tech innovation: [With iOS] Businesses can streamline operations and enhance customer interactions... READ MORE Smart home technology integration that sets the standard for convenience and security... READ MORE The Apple Experience Our combined service capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development help clients overcome challenges and lead transformation in their industries. Clients worldwide look to Apple for new strategies and solutions that drive growth and innovation in the digital era. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you’re seeking a professional role, an internship, or a leadership position, Apple offers a variety of employment opportunities. SEARCH APPLE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Apple, a company committed to diversity, innovation, and leadership. Explore job opportunities, employment benefits, and the culture of growth and innovation at Apple. Prepare your resume, hone your interview skills, and ready yourself for a career at one of the most prestigious companies in the world. Join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Learn more about Apple
Size
154,000 employees
Market Cap
$2,074.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$63.9 billion
Founded
1976
5 Year Trend
+11.5%
Revenue
$294.1 billion
NASDAQ

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