Red Team Platform and Hardware Security Researcher

Red Team Platform And Hardware Security Researcher

Cupertino, California, United States

Software And Services

Posted: Jun 25, 2025

Role Number: 200610161

Red Team Platform and Hardware secures the hardware/software boundary for all of Apple's products, focusing on operating systems, kernel, firmware, and user data protection. We're looking for a skilled, driven individual inspired to design and implement key systems, owning the architecture, implementation decisions, and validation methodology, as well as perform security reviews of existing designs. You'll become part of an outstanding team dedicated to securing low-level technologies such as the boot ROMs, firmware, and iOS and macOS kernel for our chipsets, such as Apple Silicon and wireless. You'll work with a wide variety of teams and vendors who are equally committed to great work, and your influence will be felt throughout Apple's extraordinary products, such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac and AirPods. We design and secure software for hundreds of millions of users. We make products that people LOVE. We are committed to user privacy and security. We have some of the most creative, passionate, hardworking engineers in the industry. We challenge each other to go beyond the norm to find new, innovative ways of solving problems and to make software safer, easier, and more fun to use. Not many jobs can offer all of these things. Security engineering jobs at Apple do, and much more.

Our team focuses on security improvements for Apple's various platforms and the hardware that supports them, as well as building security tools to provide high assurance. We reverse engineer exploits, provide insightful analysis, implement innovative security features, consult with other teams on both hardware and software, audit code, and review designs. We are seeking someone with strong technical expertise and a passionate desire to secure low-level systems by showing how they can be broken. You'll be working alongside teammates with diverse technical backgrounds including mobile and console research, binary instrumentation, SoC microarchitecture, compiler development, applied fault injection, and more. If you have your own area of fascination and a love of low-level security, you'll find yourself right at home! In this role you will...

- Provide hardware and firmware security design assistance

- Audit security critical firmware and hardware.

- Create tools that help automate security verification, testing, or research.

- Reverse engineer exploits, if necessary.

This position may require occasional travel to other Apple sites, vendors, and security conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

- A proven track record in finding security vulnerabilities in shipping products and/or designing platform security countermeasures.

- Programming background in C, C++, and/or Objective-C. Additionally, must have proficiency in scripting language(s) such as Python.

- Proficiency with assembly languages, ARM a big plus.

- Familiarity with modern processor and SoC architecture.

- Background in secure programming patterns and code auditing.

- Have an understanding of past, current, and emerging security exploit classes.

- Proficiency with operating system internals, especially macOS, iOS, or other flavors of UNIX

- Have the ability to track and lead multiple parallel projects.

- Familiarity with collaborating with partner teams in hardware, software, and product groups to define and deliver rigorous security features

- Relevant experience or education, such as performing security research and analysis or a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field. We are open to strong candidates with no formal education.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience creating working proof of concepts from found vulnerabilities on systems with advanced countermeasures (ASLR, TZ, PAC, etc).

- Exposure to kernel or driver programming.

- Reverse engineering using tools such as IDA Pro.

- Familiarity with the principles and use of cryptographic primitives and protocols.

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 $147,400 and $272,100, 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.

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.