Core OS Software Engineer - USB4/Thunderbolt

Summary

Are you a big-picture thinker who loves setting ambitious goals? Do you have a passion for

understanding how each line of code affects all the others? In the Core Operating Systems

group, you'll ensure the OS is inseparable from each device's identity as a whole. That's

because this group is committed to building fully integrated operating systems that combine

hardware, software, and apps into a single Apple experience. Your dedication to cross-

disciplinary collaboration will help develop groundbreaking technologies, such as iOS, macOS.

By crafting these distinct, holistic user experiences, you'll continue to uphold and advance the

excellence people expect from Apple devices!

In Core I/O, we're revolutionizing connectivity by pushing the boundaries of I/O technology to

deliver incredibly fast data transfer, seamless device integration, and the magical user

experiences our customers love across Mac, iPad, and beyond.

Description

Weʼre looking for a motivated engineer with excellent programming, problem solving, and

communication skills to join our experienced team. As a USB4 and Thunderbolt software

engineer, you'll be at the forefront of implementing industry standard protocols that power

everything from pro video workflows to everyday file transfers. Join the team responsible for

shipping code that runs on nearly every Apple product, and collaborate with brilliant engineers

to unlock the potential of the USB4 ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Develop new, innovative Apple products across a fast-paced roadmap.
• Influence the definition of Apple Silicon and hardware, implementing new features and supporting product bring-up.
• Contribute to USB4 and Thunderbolt kernel driver extensions across Appleʼs operating systems.
• Build breakthrough capabilities like RDMA over Thunderbolt, enabling distributed AI inference across clusters of Thunderbolt-connected Macs.
• Implement new features and enhancements in software as the specifications evolve over time.
• Debug, root cause, and develop solutions to enhance the USB4 and Thunderbolt customer experience.
• Collaborate with vendors to drive improvement of the USB4 and Thunderbolt ecosystems, and to ensure interoperability with Appleʼs solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with C/C++ programming languages
• Solid foundation in computer science and operating system fundamentals
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science/Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience/skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior internship, co-op, or university lab experience in systems software, firmware, or embedded development
• Familiarity with modern connectivity and high-speed bus architectures (e.g., USB4, Thunderbolt, USB-C/PD, PCIe, or DisplayPort)
• Hands-on exposure to driver development concepts or low-level operating systems
• Experience using hardware debugging tools (such as protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, or oscilloscopes) to diagnose software/hardware interface issues
• Demonstrated ability to trace, debug, and understand multi-layered software systems through school projects, open-source work, or internships.
• Proactive learner eager to take technical initiative and partner closely with senior mentors and cross-functional teams