Software Systems Engineer - Apple Maps (Navigation & Core Frameworks)
Apple Maps is seeking experienced client-side software systems engineers to help build and maintain the core and navigation frameworks that power location-based services across Apple platforms. This role spans critical components like navigation, routing, geolocation, and background services - and is ideal for engineers who thrive working close to the OS, love solving system-level problems, and have a strong foundation in native programming.
Our team supports Apple Maps across all major platforms, including iPhone, iPad, CarPlay, WATCH, TV, macOS, and Vision Pro. If you enjoy building performant, memory-efficient frameworks and daemons that integrate deeply with the OS - and want to help shape the future of Apple's location experience - we'd love to hear from you.
Description
As a Software Systems Engineer on the Maps Frameworks team, you'll work on foundational services that support key location features used across Apple's ecosystem - from Navigation and Search to ETA, Map Tiles, and Location Services.
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Your responsibilities will include:
Designing and developing APIs, frameworks, daemons, and internal protocols to power geolocation and navigation experiences
Building scalable, memory- and CPU-efficient systems that run across iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and more
Working in Objective-C and Swift in a performance-sensitive, embedded environment
Writing production-level code with deep attention to threading, memory management, and concurrency
Collaborating with cross-functional teams across Apple to expose internal functionality through secure and stable system APIs
Debugging at all levels of the OS stack and integrating with performance and test automation infrastructure
This is a systems-level role - not a UI or web development position. You'll be contributing to the underlying frameworks and services that internal and third-party apps rely on.
Preferred Qualifications
BS or MS in Computer Science
Experience designing and implementing protocols, IPC mechanisms, and Protocol Buffers
Background in networking, location services, or geospatial data handling
Strong debugging skills across the OS stack (from framework to daemon)
Experience with Shell scripting, Python, SQL
Experience with performance tuning in mobile or embedded environments (CPU, memory, network, power optimizations)
Familiarity with Apple's development ecosystem (iOS/macOS/watchOS/tvOS)
Minimum Qualifications
5+ years of experience in software systems engineering, ideally on Unix-based or embedded platforms
Strong proficiency in native, compiled languages such as Objective-C, Swift, C++, C
Experience developing and shipping client-side frameworks, daemons, or APIs
Deep understanding of systems programming concepts: concurrency, threading, memory/resource management, and performance tuning
Prior experience delivering production-quality software and collaborating across engineering, product, and design teams
Familiarity with version control and development tools such as Git, Xcode, and performance analyses tools such as Instruments
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 .
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
Parental Benefits
Work Flexibility
Office Life and Perks
Vacation and Time Off
Financial and Retirement
Professional Development
Diversity and Inclusion
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