UI Compositing Engineer
Apple's Compositing, Color, and Display Software organization provides the graphics software foundation for all of Apple's innovative products, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and Apple Watch. Our goal is to enable developers and HI designers to create exceptional visual experiences by efficiently utilizing hardware acceleration and color technologies through compositing and display.
We're a highly technical team working on critical compositing and windowing system components across Apple's platforms. Our mission is to maintain and evolve the compositing infrastructure that powers billions of devices. We tackle challenging problems in scheduler architecture, event processing, security rendering, hardware integration, and legacy system maintenance while maintaining the high-quality standards our users expect.
If you're excited about learning how to build software that coordinates displays, GPUs, and processors to create smooth visual experiences, we want to hear from you. If you have strong programming fundamentals and want to dive deep into how operating systems manage compositing at the lowest level, this role is for you.
Description
We're seeking a motivated software engineer who is eager to learn systems programming and wants to work on compositing infrastructure. You'll work closely with experienced engineers who will mentor you as you contribute to the core systems that manage how graphics are displayed across all Apple devices. This is a great opportunity to build broad expertise in low-level systems programming while working on technology that impacts billions of devices.
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You'll join the UI Compositing team and gain exposure to diverse technical challenges across compositing infrastructure. You'll learn how systems coordinate hardware (displays, GPUs, processors) to deliver smooth visual experiences. You'll work on performance optimization, system features, input handling, and critical platform code. With guidance from senior engineers, you'll work on real features, fix bugs, and gain hands-on experience across different areas of compositing. Over time, you'll collaborate with GPU driver teams, Display teams, and Metal framework engineers to understand how all the pieces fit together.
Our team values versatility, deep technical expertise, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. We work in complex Unix-based codebases where autonomy, strong debugging skills, and the willingness to dive deep into intricate system-level code are essential. You'll develop the ability to work across different technical areas-a valuable skill for your career growth.","responsibilities":"Contribute to core compositing infrastructure across different areas of the team
Work on performance optimization including frame scheduling and display coordination
Help implement system features across Apple platforms
Learn about input handling and event processing systems
Help maintain and improve critical platform code
Debug compositing issues with support from senior engineers
Learn to work with codebases across different Apple platforms
Gain exposure to advanced display technologies and hardware capabilities
Collaborate with and learn from GPU driver teams, Display teams, and Metal framework engineers
Develop skills navigating large, complex codebases across different technical domains
Write clear, well-documented code and participate in team code reviews
Build your expertise in compositing, systems programming, and hardware coordination
Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on experience with C, C++, or Objective-C (from internships, projects, or coursework)
Exposure to concepts like memory management, threading, or concurrency
Basic understanding of graphics systems, display technologies, or hardware-software interaction
Experience using profiling or debugging tools
Coursework or projects involving operating systems, compilers, or low-level programming
Familiarity with debuggers like lldb or gdb, or profiling tools like Instruments
Experience developing on macOS, iOS, or other Apple platforms
Personal or academic projects that involved systems programming
Curiosity about how hardware and software work together
Interest in performance optimization or system-level programming
Track record of learning new technical concepts quickly
Willingness to work across different technical areas and problem domains
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience
Solid understanding of computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, and operating systems concepts
Ability to write code in at least one lower-level language like C, C++, or similar (from coursework or projects)
Comfortable working in Unix/Linux environments and using command-line tools
Some experience with debugging (even from school projects or internships)
Enthusiasm for learning complex systems and new technologies
Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Willingness to learn and improve through mentorship and code reviews
Collaborative mindset and ability to work well with others
Adaptability and interest in working across different technical areas
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 .
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