Software Engineer - UI Rendering
Apple
- Location
- Onsite (Cupertino, California)
- Employment
- Full-time
- Level
- Mid Level
Posted 5 days ago
About the Role
Apple's UI Rendering team is seeking a Software Engineer to contribute to the core graphics compositing and rendering engine that powers visual experiences across all Apple devices. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement and optimize rendering features, bridging the gap between creative vision and technical reality.
Skills
C++
C
Metal
Graphics Rendering
Computer Graphics
GPU Programming
Debugging
Unix
Linux
Core Animation
Performance Optimization
Data Structures
Algorithms
Operating Systems
Computer Architecture
Memory Subsystems
Full job details
Apple's Compositing, Color, and Display Software organization provides the graphics software foundation for all of Apple's innovative products, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and Apple Watch. Our goal is to enable developers and HI designers to create exceptional visual experiences by efficiently utilizing hardware acceleration and color technologies through compositing and display. The technologies we develop are central to enabling enhanced experiences across our platforms, including acceleration for Liquid Glass UI material and presenting HDR content with the highest quality.
Are you passionate about building the rendering technologies that make interfaces feel alive? Do you get excited about solving complex graphics challenges to deliver beautiful, responsive experiences at scale? If creating world-class visual experiences through innovative rendering architecture energizes you, this is your opportunity.
We are looking for a talented Software Engineer with rendering expertise to join our UI Rendering team. In this role, you will contribute directly to the core systems that manage how graphics are displayed across all Apple devices. You will join the UI Rendering team and gain exposure to diverse technical challenges across rendering configurations. You will work on core rendering features, platform and device-specific code. You will implement features, debug complex issues, and build hands-on experience across different areas of UI Rendering. You will collaborate with GPU driver teams, display teams and Metal framework engineers to understand how the pieces fit together. Our team values versatility, deep technical expertise and a proactive approach to problem solving. We work in complex Unix-based codebases, where autonomy, strong debugging skills and the willingness to dive deep into intricate system level code are essential. You will develop the ability to work across different technical areas, a valuable skill for your career growth. As part of the team, you will contribute to the Core Animation graphics compositing and rendering engine that powers visual experiences across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. You will implement and build the graphics technologies that bring our user interfaces to life, from foundational compositing systems to cutting-edge visual effects. Working at the heart of our graphics stack, you will bridge the gap between creative vision and technical reality. You will partner directly with HI designers to prototype and productize new visual concepts, collaborate with framework engineers to expose powerful rendering capabilities, and work alongside our Metal and GPU teams to unlock the full potential of Apple Silicon. From next-generation material systems to sophisticated animation techniques, you will help shape the visual foundation that defines how millions experience Apple products every day.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience 3+ years experience in software development 1+ years experience with real-time rendering and computer graphics Ability to write code and develop complex software in C/C++ Strong debugging and triaging skills for complex, multi-layered systems issues Solid understanding of computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms and operating system concepts Foundational understanding of Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, and CPU/GPU programming including memory subsystems Comfortable working in Unix/Linux environments and using command-line tools Curiosity and drive to tackle complex systems and new technologies Good problem solving skills and attention to detail Adaptability and interest in working across different technical areas Experience with graphics performance analysis and optimization techniques Excellent collaboration skills with cross-functional teams on complex large-scale projects Ability to leverage GenAI to speed up development and increase quality
Experience with Mac or iOS application development using Swift or Objective-C Hands-on experience with Metal or modern graphics APIs (Vulkan, DirectX) Experience with layer-based rendering systems or scene graph architectures Knowledge of color management, HDR, and wide color gamut workflows Experience with CPU/GPU synchronization and multi-threaded rendering architectures Experience with client/server or multi-process graphics architectures Familiarity with GPU profiling tools and performance optimization for mobile platforms Experience shipping consumer graphics products Experience with automated testing frameworks for graphics rendering
Description
We are looking for a talented Software Engineer with rendering expertise to join our UI Rendering team. In this role, you will contribute directly to the core systems that manage how graphics are displayed across all Apple devices. You will join the UI Rendering team and gain exposure to diverse technical challenges across rendering configurations. You will work on core rendering features, platform and device-specific code. You will implement features, debug complex issues, and build hands-on experience across different areas of UI Rendering. You will collaborate with GPU driver teams, display teams and Metal framework engineers to understand how the pieces fit together. Our team values versatility, deep technical expertise and a proactive approach to problem solving. We work in complex Unix-based codebases, where autonomy, strong debugging skills and the willingness to dive deep into intricate system level code are essential. You will develop the ability to work across different technical areas, a valuable skill for your career growth. As part of the team, you will contribute to the Core Animation graphics compositing and rendering engine that powers visual experiences across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. You will implement and build the graphics technologies that bring our user interfaces to life, from foundational compositing systems to cutting-edge visual effects. Working at the heart of our graphics stack, you will bridge the gap between creative vision and technical reality. You will partner directly with HI designers to prototype and productize new visual concepts, collaborate with framework engineers to expose powerful rendering capabilities, and work alongside our Metal and GPU teams to unlock the full potential of Apple Silicon. From next-generation material systems to sophisticated animation techniques, you will help shape the visual foundation that defines how millions experience Apple products every day.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience 3+ years experience in software development 1+ years experience with real-time rendering and computer graphics Ability to write code and develop complex software in C/C++ Strong debugging and triaging skills for complex, multi-layered systems issues Solid understanding of computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms and operating system concepts Foundational understanding of Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, and CPU/GPU programming including memory subsystems Comfortable working in Unix/Linux environments and using command-line tools Curiosity and drive to tackle complex systems and new technologies Good problem solving skills and attention to detail Adaptability and interest in working across different technical areas Experience with graphics performance analysis and optimization techniques Excellent collaboration skills with cross-functional teams on complex large-scale projects Ability to leverage GenAI to speed up development and increase quality
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Mac or iOS application development using Swift or Objective-C Hands-on experience with Metal or modern graphics APIs (Vulkan, DirectX) Experience with layer-based rendering systems or scene graph architectures Knowledge of color management, HDR, and wide color gamut workflows Experience with CPU/GPU synchronization and multi-threaded rendering architectures Experience with client/server or multi-process graphics architectures Familiarity with GPU profiling tools and performance optimization for mobile platforms Experience shipping consumer graphics products Experience with automated testing frameworks for graphics rendering