Software QE Engineering Manager
Apple
Software Engineering, Other Engineering
Austin, TX, USA
Posted on Feb 23, 2026
Are you a big-picture thinker who loves setting ambitious goals? Do you have a passion for understanding how each line of code affects all the others? In the Core Operating Systems group, you’ll ensure the OS is inseparable from each device’s identity as a whole. That’s because this group is committed to building fully integrated operating systems that combine hardware, software, and apps into a single Apple experience. Your dedication to cross-disciplinary collaboration will help develop groundbreaking technologies, such as iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. By crafting these distinct, multidisciplinary user experiences, you’ll continue to uphold and advance the excellence people expect from Apple devices. The Core Runtimes team in Core OS is looking for a Quality Engineering Manager to drive quality excellence and testing strategy for critical embedded systems that power Apple products. We enable teams to deliver high quality software through best in class engineering experiences, efficient workflow, data driven insights, and a culture of continuous improvement. Your leadership will directly impact the quality of software running on millions of devices worldwide. Your focus is delivering useful data insights, and engaging with partners across the organization to provide coaching in support of workflow initiatives.
The Embedded Runtimes Quality Manager is responsible for the leadership and management of a team that ensures the quality of Apple's embedded real-time operating system and runtime technologies that power critical subsystems across all Apple platforms. Building an Austin-based team by hiring and retaining top-tier engineering talent. Working with firmware teams across Apple to understand and prioritize test engineering needs for embedded runtimes. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create comprehensive test plans for runtime features and platform integrations. Coordinating with firmware and QA teams across all Apple platforms to ensure consistent quality and prevent regressions. Boldly pursuing the development of test automation, test frameworks, and shift-left testing strategies to enable early detection and comprehensive coverage. Driving a vision for testing earlier in the development cycle while maintaining robust functional testing and new feature validation. Identifying and vocalizing risk areas during product and technology development across the full range of Apple devices. Promoting a team culture that encourages innovation and sets high standards for quality and productivity.
- Hire, develop, and manage a team of quality engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Define and execute comprehensive test strategies for Embedded Runtimes features across all Apple platforms, balancing immediate tactical needs with long-term strategic quality goals.
- Establish quality metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to provide data-driven insights into runtime quality, test coverage, and risk areas across watch, phone, Mac, and other devices.
- Collaborate extensively with firmware teams across Apple to align on quality requirements, coordinate testing efforts, and ensure consistent runtime quality and regression prevention across platforms.
- Develop and mature quality processes, test frameworks, and automation infrastructure to enable shift-left testing and improve efficiency of functional testing and feature validation.
- Identify gaps in test coverage and tooling, providing input on resource needs and investments required to achieve comprehensive quality assurance for Embedded Runtimes.
- Passion for quality in consumer products
- Experience leading a team of test and software engineers
- Experience with firmware, device-driver, and kernel-level test development
- Experience with test strategies including unit, system-integration, white-box, black-box, fuzz, conformance, and compliance
- Consistent track record of producing and executing test plans aligned with project and program schedules
- History of setting aggressive yet attainable goals and motivating teams to achieve them
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Bachelor’s degree in CS, CE, or EE, or equivalent industry experience
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded systems development and testing
- Experience building test automation frameworks from the ground up or significantly scaling existing infrastructure
- Track record of implementing shift-left testing practices or improving early-stage quality processes
- Background with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) systems and test infrastructure at scale
- Familiarity with memory safety testing, concurrency validation, or system-level debugging
- Experience collaborating across geographically distributed teams or multiple product organizations
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.