Remote Media Playback Software Engineer – Full‑Stack AV Media Pipeline Development for iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS & visionOS

Why Join Apple’s Audio & Media Technologies Group?

Apple is more than a brand – it’s a community of visionaries, creators, and engineers who turn imagination into reality. From the moment you step into the world of Apple, you become part of a culture that values bold thinking, relentless curiosity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The Audio and Media Technologies (AMT) Group sits at the heart of this ecosystem, providing the foundational media stack that powers everything from the iPhone camera preview to the immersive experience of Apple Vision Pro. As a Remote Media Playback Software Engineer, you will help shape the future of how billions of users experience video, audio, and live streams across every Apple platform.

Our Mission

We exist to create a seamless, high‑fidelity media experience that feels effortless, beautiful, and universally accessible. Whether it’s streaming a favorite blockbuster on Apple TV, joining a FaceTime call on a Mac, or watching AR content on VisionOS, our technology ensures that media is always crisp, synchronized, and responsive. By joining our team, you’ll be at the forefront of pioneering innovations that define how the world consumes media for the next decade.

Position Overview

This fully remote role empowers you to design, implement, and ship critical components of Apple’s media playback pipeline. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams—including hardware engineers, UI/UX designers, product managers, and quality assurance specialists—to deliver performant, secure, and future‑proof media services across iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect & implement core media playback services that support local file playback, video‑on‑demand, and real‑time streaming across Apple’s ecosystem.
• Design high‑performance decoding pipelines, leveraging hardware acceleration, GPU off‑loading, and low‑latency buffering techniques.
• Integrate and maintain DRM solutions such as FairPlay Streaming, ensuring content protection while preserving user experience.
• Collaborate with SoC (System‑on‑Chip) teams to bring up and validate custom media hardware, including video codecs, ISP pipelines, and audio DSPs.
• Develop robust testing frameworks, automated regression suites, and continuous‑integration pipelines that guarantee reliability at scale.
• Diagnose and resolve complex media pipeline bugs, employing tools such as Instruments, Xcode Debugger, and custom performance profilers.
• Contribute to the evolution of CoreFoundation, AVFoundation, and CoreMedia frameworks, providing feedback and patches that benefit the broader developer community.
• Partner with product leadership to define roadmaps, prioritize features, and set measurable quality goals.
• Mentor junior engineers, share best practices, and help cultivate a culture of code quality, security, and performance excellence.

Essential Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Programming Expertise: Proven proficiency in C and C++ for systems‑level development, with an understanding of memory management, concurrency, and low‑level optimization.
• Media Fundamentals: Strong grasp of video and audio codecs (H.264, H.265, AAC, Opus), container formats (MP4, MOV, MKV), and streaming protocols (HLS, DASH, RTSP).
• Apple Ecosystem Familiarity: Experience building or maintaining software that runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, or visionOS.
• Problem‑Solving Acumen: Ability to debug intricate media pipelines, isolate performance bottlenecks, and devise scalable solutions.

Preferred Qualifications & Added Value

• Hands‑on experience with DRM technologies, especially FairPlay Streaming, Widevine, or PlayReady.
• Background in SoC bring‑up, hardware validation, or collaboration with silicon teams.
• Familiarity with CoreFoundation, AVFoundation, CoreMedia, or analogous media frameworks.
• Experience with modern CI/CD environments, automated testing, and performance monitoring tools.
• Knowledge of security best practices for media content, including encryption, secure key exchange, and sandboxing.
• Passion for emerging media formats such as 8K video, spatial audio, and immersive AR/VR content.

Core Skills & Competencies for Success

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to dissect complex problems, synthesize data, and present clear, actionable solutions.
• Collaboration: Strong communication skills to work effectively across distributed teams, product owners, and external partners.
• Adaptability: Comfort operating in a fast‑moving environment where priorities shift with market trends and technology breakthroughs.
• Quality Mindset: Commitment to delivering bug‑free, high‑performance code that meets Apple’s exacting standards.
• Continuous Learning: Eagerness to stay current with industry innovations, standards, and best practices in media technology.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

Apple believes that our people are our greatest asset, and we invest heavily in your professional development:

• Technical Leadership Path: Progress from individual contributor to senior architect, principal engineer, or engineering manager, shaping product strategy at the highest level.
• Cross‑Platform Expertise: Gain deep exposure to five operating systems, positioning you as a rare “media omniscient” engineer.
• Education Reimbursement: Tuition assistance for advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized courses in multimedia, signal processing, and security.
• Internal Knowledge Sharing: Present at Apple-wide tech talks, participate in hackathons, and contribute to open‑source projects under Apple’s umbrella.
• Mentorship Programs: Both receive guidance from senior leaders and mentor newer engineers, fostering a culture of growth.

Work Environment & Company Culture

As a remote employee, you will enjoy a flexible work arrangement with the support of a globally distributed team:

• Inclusive Community: Apple’s EEO commitment ensures a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
• Collaborative Tools: State‑of‑the‑art communication platforms, shared sandboxes, and virtual whiteboards keep you connected to teammates worldwide.
• Innovation‑First Mindset: We celebrate bold ideas, encourage experimentation, and reward risk‑taking that advances user experiences.
• Wellness & Balance: Comprehensive mental‑health resources, flexible schedules, and a focus on sustainable work‑life integration.
• Diversity of Thought: Diverse perspectives fuel our creativity, leading to richer products that serve a global audience.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

Apple offers a competitive total rewards package that reflects your expertise and impact:

• Base Salary: Ranges from $143,100 to $264,200, calibrated to experience, qualifications, and market conditions.
• Equity Participation: Eligibility for Apple’s discretionary stock programs, including RSU awards and Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a discounted rate.
• Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual discretionary bonuses tied to individual and company performance.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, plus mental‑health resources.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with generous matching contributions.
• Product Discounts: Substantial employee discounts on Apple hardware and services, plus free access to select software tools.
• Learning & Development: Reimbursement for tuition, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences.
• Family Support: Paid parental leave, adoption assistance, and flexible parental work arrangements.
• Relocation Assistance: If you decide to transition to an on‑site location, Apple offers supportive relocation packages.

How to Apply

Ready to bring your expertise to a team that reshapes the way the world experiences media? The application process is straightforward:

1. Click the “Apply” button below.
2. Submit your resume, a brief cover letter highlighting relevant projects, and any portfolio or code samples that showcase your media engineering skills.
3. Our talent acquisition team will review your submission, and if your profile aligns, you’ll be invited to a series of conversations with engineers, managers, and product leaders.

Take the next step in your career and help Apple continue to set the standard for exceptional media experiences.

Apply Now

Click the link below to start your journey with Apple’s Audio & Media Technologies Group.