Embedded Firmware Engineer - Image Signal Processor (ISP)

Summary

Apple's ISP team is seeking an exceptional Embedded Firmware Engineer to drive pioneering camera technologies for Apple products. Y ou will work on core camera and ISP technologies, including Apple's custom image signal processing pipeline and hardware components. In this role, you will help define how Apple develops, tests, and manufactures its products. Our team fosters an environment of product innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration across multiple functions while providing meaningful autonomy to deliver impactful work.

About the role

This is a highly cross-functional product development role where you will partner closely with silicon design, silicon validation, and machine learning algorithm teams. The work spans the full product lifecycle from pre-silicon emulation through silicon bring-up and production. The environment is fast-paced and multifaceted, requiring initiative, technical curiosity, and comfort navigating ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Develop low-level ISP firmware for sophisticated image processing pipelines running on Apple's latest system-on-chip designs.
• Drive ISP hardware validation, feature bring-up, and camera software stack integration on emulators during pre-silicon development and on silicon during initial bring-up.
• Identify and resolve system performance challenges including power consumption, memory utilization, latency, and timing jitter.
• Collaborate with silicon designers to debug hardware-firmware interactions and contribute to architecture decisions that shape future camera capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience developing multi-threaded software within embedded RTOS environments
• Strong proficiency in C and C++

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of embedded firmware development experience
• Experience with camera pipelines, image signal processors, or video processing systems
• Track record of bringing up firmware on new silicon or hardware platforms, Familiarity with pre-silicon development environments including emulators and FPGA prototypes
• Experience with firmware performance tuning, memory optimization, and power management
• Proficiency with AI-assisted development tools and workflows
• Understanding of low-level hardware interfaces and register-level programming
• Ability to debug complex systems using hardware and software tools
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across teams