Hardware System Validation Engineer
Oct 6, 2026 San Jose, CA
About us
Working at Apple means doing more than you ever thought possible and having more impact than you ever imagined.
- Size: 10,000+ employees
- Industry: Technology
Join the system validation team at Apple's Hardware Engineering, where we validate system-level performance of Apple SoCs and other key modules (cameras, displays, and other state-of-the-art sensors) in a system environment that mirrors real product use.
Description
In this role, you will:
- Primarily validate Apple SoCs, while also running testing on other modules such as cameras, displays, and sensors that ship in Apple products
- Work closely with module designers and functional test writers to understand high-level architectures of each IP block within Apple SoCs or other modules, and define applicable validation plans
- Develop and execute these system tests, leveraging scripts and automation frameworks, on a large volume of engineering prototypes throughout the product life cycles
- Serve as the first line of debug when issues occur - triaging, isolating, and bucketizing failures
- Partner with domain experts to define DoEs (Design of Experiments), develop root-cause theories, and test possible workarounds
- Development of automated testing for power consumption data collection from our battery and power supply systems
- Creation of new test methodologies to expand test coverage to new modalities including optical / computer-vision based testing
- Optimize test and calibration flows for hardware sub-systems. Apply AI/ML techniques for test data mining, anomaly detection, and factory data analytics
- Travel internationally ~10% of the time
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with SoC bring up, familiar with computer architectures (cache, memory hierarchy, data pipelines) and logic design
Experience with bringing-up and testing of camera, display or any other modules in consumer electronics
Experience in silicon validation software engineering or related field
Experience with embedded system debug
Experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and thermal chambers
Strong proficiency in Python and Lua; proficient in Shell scripting.
Familiarity with industry standards (USB, PCIe, DDR, etc.)
General software development experience (Python, C++, log review, code review)
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related field
3+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems
Scripting proficiency in Python; comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks
Experience in one of the following: hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation
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 $129,300 and $225,300, 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.
Description
In this role, you will:
- Primarily validate Apple SoCs, while also running testing on other modules such as cameras, displays, and sensors that ship in Apple products
- Work closely with module designers and functional test writers to understand high-level architectures of each IP block within Apple SoCs or other modules, and define applicable validation plans
- Develop and execute these system tests, leveraging scripts and automation frameworks, on a large volume of engineering prototypes throughout the product life cycles
- Serve as the first line of debug when issues occur - triaging, isolating, and bucketizing failures
- Partner with domain experts to define DoEs (Design of Experiments), develop root-cause theories, and test possible workarounds
- Development of automated testing for power consumption data collection from our battery and power supply systems
- Creation of new test methodologies to expand test coverage to new modalities including optical / computer-vision based testing
- Optimize test and calibration flows for hardware sub-systems. Apply AI/ML techniques for test data mining, anomaly detection, and factory data analytics
- Travel internationally ~10% of the time
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with SoC bring up, familiar with computer architectures (cache, memory hierarchy, data pipelines) and logic design
Experience with bringing-up and testing of camera, display or any other modules in consumer electronics
Experience in silicon validation software engineering or related field
Experience with embedded system debug
Experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and thermal chambers
Strong proficiency in Python and Lua; proficient in Shell scripting.
Familiarity with industry standards (USB, PCIe, DDR, etc.)
General software development experience (Python, C++, log review, code review)
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related field
3+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems
Scripting proficiency in Python; comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks
Experience in one of the following: hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation
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 $129,300 and $225,300, 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.
Additional Information
- Salary: $129,300 – $225,300
- Posted: Oct 6, 2026