Apple

Summary

Posted: Mar 08, 2026

Role Number:200648881

The Darwin Kernel organization plays a vital role in Apple's success, responsible for the XNU kernel running at the heart of the operating systems deployed across all iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Apple TV, and Vision devices. We are looking for a passionate software engineer to join our validation software development team. You'll have the unique opportunity to build the validation infrastructure and frameworks that kernel engineers rely on, while also validating kernel features that support our silicon and product roadmap — including memory management, concurrency, scheduling, power transitions, kernel/user boundaries, CPU tracing, and more. You'll be given the ownership and agency to influence the future direction of our products.

Description

Successful candidates will join a multifaceted team responsible for building validation infrastructure and qualifying the latest kernel technologies on all Apple products, from watches to laptops, including unreleased prototypes. Our team collaborates with software development and validation teams around the world and is involved throughout the development lifecycle, from initial design until we ship to the customer.

Responsibilities

• Designing, building, and maintaining scalable validation infrastructure, test frameworks, and CI/CD pipelines that enable kernel engineers to efficiently qualify their work across a wide array of Apple devices.
• Developing tooling and automation that improves test reliability, execution speed, and coverage reporting.
• Defining validation strategies, test plans, and testing methodologies for kernel technologies.
• Planning and developing automated test suites to validate new and existing kernel features.
• Independently managing efforts across cross-functional teams and communicating quality status to stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.Sc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven experience as a QA or infrastructure software engineer with the ability to independently manage validation efforts.
• Strong skills in at least one high-level language (e.g., Python, C#, Java).
• Understanding of Unix operating systems.
• Experience building test frameworks, automation infrastructure, or CI/CD systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Skilled in testing methodologies, test planning, and defining validation strategies.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience with Python.
• Experience working in C/C++
• Experience designing developer-facing tooling or internal platforms.
• Strong understanding of software development cycles.
• Experience working with Unix kernel technologies.