Bring Up Engineer, Core OS – Apple – Ottawa, Ontario

Apple’s Core Platform Bring-up team in Ottawa, Ontario is on the hunt for an exceptional Bring Up Engineer to join the Core OS organization. This is the kind of role where your work touches the very foundation of how Apple devices come to life — from the earliest lines of firmware on new silicon to the seamless experience millions of people rely on every day.

You’ll be embedded in a team that operates at the intersection of hardware and software, debugging and bringing up next-generation iOS devices including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac. Expect a working environment that values product innovation, rapid iteration, and a serious degree of autonomy over how you approach problems.

About the Role: Bring Up Engineer, Core OS

As a Bring Up Engineer, your day-to-day work centres on developing firmware and device drivers, supporting hardware platform verification, and debugging complex systems at the lowest levels of the stack. You’ll collaborate across multi-functional teams — hardware engineers, silicon designers, and OS developers — to support product requirements and help drive features from specification through to shipping product.

This role demands both deep technical expertise and a genuine curiosity about how hardware and software interact. You’ll be involved in hardware platform specifications, drive functional requirements, and take full ownership of problems end to end. The team fosters an open and inclusive culture where asking questions and learning from colleagues is not just encouraged — it’s expected.

Benefits and Salary

Apple is known for offering a comprehensive total compensation package that goes well beyond base pay. Employees in Canada typically have access to extended health and dental benefits, an employee stock purchase plan, and various wellness programs. Apple also invests heavily in learning and development, giving engineers the tools and time to grow their craft in a world-class environment.

Responsibilities

Working on next-generation hardware platforms, your responsibilities span the full arc of device bring-up — from early firmware development to final debug and verification. These tasks require both precision and the ability to navigate ambiguity, as new hardware rarely behaves exactly as expected the first time around.

• Develop firmware and drivers for new Apple hardware platforms across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac product lines
• Debug complex hardware/software interactions at the systems level to identify root causes and drive resolution
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams including hardware engineers, silicon architects, and OS developers to support product requirements
• Drive product features and contribute to functional and industry specification development for new hardware platforms
• Support verification efforts for new platforms throughout the bring-up lifecycle
• Take end-to-end ownership of problems, working through ambiguity to deliver reliable, production-quality solutions
• Champion an open and inclusive team culture by sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration across disciplines

Requirements / Skills

The ideal candidate brings systems-level or embedded software experience and genuinely enjoys working close to the metal. Apple values engineers who are self-directed, intellectually curious, and committed to building technology that works reliably at scale. Strong communication and collaboration skills are just as important as technical depth on this team.

• 3–5 years of experience developing and debugging systems-level or embedded software in a professional setting
• Strong proficiency in C or C++ with the ability to read and interpret hardware documentation accurately
• Solid computer science fundamentals including operating systems concepts and computer architecture
• Excellent troubleshooting skills and a genuine passion for software quality and reliability
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• Preferred: experience bringing up or porting an OS on new hardware, writing embedded device drivers, or working with JTAG and hardware debuggers
• Preferred: familiarity with ARM processor architecture, hardware simulation, FPGA-based emulation, or Python scripting for test and automation

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official Apple job posting using the link below. Make sure your resume is up to date and reflects your hands-on experience with embedded systems and low-level software development before submitting.

Share This Opportunity

Know someone who might be interested? Share this job posting and help them join Apple in Ottawa.