Job Details

Systems Engineering Manager, WatchOS

Cupertino, California, United States

Software and Services

Summary

Posted: Jun 09, 2025

Weekly Hours: 40

Role Number: 200607759

Imagine what you could do here at Apple. Innovation runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts, and the diversity of people and ideas makes it possible. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it.

The Apple Watch Software team is looking for an exceptionally dedicated software engineering manager to lead a systems and performance team for WatchOS. This team will build new, core architectural technology underpinning future WatchOS features, as well as drive performance and power optimizations at all layers of the operating system. This role will involve developing features, mentoring engineers, growing the team by hiring, and partnering with adjacent teams to improve the Apple Watch. This role requires a passion for understanding both the hardware and software aspects of our products and a passion for learning new technologies. We value communication skills, integrity, and creativity, and aspire to build diverse, balanced and dynamic teams.

Description

In this role your primary responsibility will be to manage and support a team of deeply technical engineers tackling problems in a variety of domains. This team collaborates closely with the Performance, Power, OS, Hardware and Graphics teams across Apple to improve the Apple Watch experience. The team also develops and maintains various tools to help engineers ship their features.

In your engineering manager role you will:

• Work at many layers of the system software stack, from firmware or kernel layers up to application layers, to create new experiences by leveraging hardware in new ways.

• Diagnose and address functional and performance issues at the language, runtime, and kernel layers as well as in application and system daemons.

• Implement new software components, frameworks, and applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years industry experience.

• 3+ years experience leading a technical team and collaborating across organizational boundaries.

• Experience building and leading a team of senior and junior engineers.

• Deep technical understanding and hands-on experience with software development and lifecycle management.

• Experience with low-level OS systems, i.e. kernel, Darwin or drivers.

• Solid computer science fundamentals.

• Strong product sense and the ability to balance technical feasibility with user experience.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience defining and driving application or systems architecture.

• Ability to work with technology partners at all levels of the stack, from hardware, sensors, and firmware to frameworks and applications.

• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.

• Experience working with performance analysis and optimization.

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 $219,300 and $329,600, 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.Learn more about Apple Benefits. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.