Software Automation Engineer

Software Automation Engineer

Apple is a place where extraordinary people team up to do their best work. Together we build products and experiences people once could not have envisioned, and now cannot imagine living without. Our team is a diverse collection of mechanical, software, and instrumentation engineers that are focused on automation. Innovation and continuous development are key things in our day-to-day life at Apple. We strive to develop tools and infrastructure that streamlines the design and development of Sensing Power and Haptics technologies found on iPad, iPhone, iPhone accessories, AirPods, and Apple Watch.

You will contribute to the technical direction of our robotics and test infrastructure, designing scalable systems, raising engineering standards, and collaborating closely with peers and stakeholders. You will work cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams to deliver best-in-class automation. You take strong ownership of quality and reliability across architecture, integration, validation, and robotic automation. You are fluent with AI-assisted development tools and actively champion their thoughtful adoption within the team. - Track record of taking ownership of complex technical problems end-to-end and delivering reliable solutions - Deep drive to build tooling and infrastructure that meaningfully accelerates engineering velocity - Strong instinct for system design, software architecture, and building for maintainability at scale - Exceptional troubleshooting skills with a structured, first-principles approach to ambiguous problems - Strong communication skills: able to align stakeholders, document decisions clearly, and present tradeoffs to senior leadership - Ability to mentor and influence best practices across team members

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and influence the technical architecture for robotics and test automation infrastructure across Sensing Power and Haptics programs.
• Design, develop, and harden equipment drivers, orchestration frameworks, database systems, and reporting pipelines
• Partner closely with hardware, firmware, and design engineering teams — taking ownership of integration from concept through production deployment
• Enable hardware and software engineering workflows (test triage, failure analysis, hardware and firmware verification) using programmatic and AI automations.
• Identify and help close gaps in test coverage, reliability, and observability; contribute proactively to the team's roadmap
• Support the growth of peers through design and code reviews, knowledge sharing, and contributing to engineering standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong Python skills with an ability to write clean, maintainable, production-quality code
• Proficiency in C/C++ or another systems language, and comfort working across the stack
• Strong experience with relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, or similar) and data pipeline design
• Demonstrated experience architecting and operating large-scale test automation systems — including robotic systems, equipment drivers, and orchestration frameworks
• Hands-on experience with wireless test equipment (spectrum analyzer, signal generator, network analyzer, power meter) and a solid grasp of the underlying theory
• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with robotic test systems and physical automation in a lab or manufacturing environment
• Experience with distributed data storage and cloud infrastructure (S3, GCS, or equivalent) at meaningful scale
• Experience building and consuming REST APIs and web-based tooling consumed by cross-functional teams
• Strong background in software architecture, API design, and building modular, high-performance systems intended to outlast the engineer who built them
• Domain knowledge in Inductive or Wireless Power Transfer (Qi, MagSafe, or similar standards)
• Fluent with AI coding assistants and LLM-based tools; able to evaluate, adopt, and guide team adoption of emerging capabilities
• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, with a minimum of 10 years of relevant industry experience

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.