Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple with Visa Sponsorship
Performance Engineer jobs at Apple sit at the intersection of hardware optimization and software efficiency, requiring deep expertise in profiling, benchmarking, and system-level analysis. Apple has a consistent track record of sponsoring work visas for this function, supporting candidates across multiple visa categories from initial OPT to long-term permanent residence pathways.
Find Performance Engineer Jobs at AppleOverview
Showing 5 of 104+ Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple
See all 104+ Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The CoreOS Kernel team within Apple's CoreOS organization is looking for an exceptional OS kernel performance engineer to push the boundary of performance on Apple Silicon platforms - from iOS to macOS, visionOS and beyond. If you have a passion for low-level programming, performance optimization, and working at the intersection of software and hardware, this is your opportunity to have a major impact on end-user experience across Apple’s products.
DESCRIPTION
As part of the CoreOS Kernel engineering team, you will work on the core layers of the operating systems. In this role you will analyze and optimize the OS performance on upcoming platforms for responsiveness and efficiency. Drive innovative kernel and runtime design optimizations that improve scheduling, memory, and power efficiency. Collaborate with hardware architects and chip design teams to drive optimizations for Apple Silicon, and influence next generation CPU, GPU and memory subsystems. Engage across many teams, from hardware engineering to compiler, application and frameworks teams, to drive world-class end-to-end system performance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience
- Proficiency in C programming language
- Strong understanding of OS fundamentals
- Ability to collaborate across teams to drive development and performance optimizations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with kernel development and low-level performance analysis
- Knowledge of modern CPU and memory architectures
- Expertise with profiling tools and analysis (Instruments, VTune, etc.)
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 $129,300 and $225,300, 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
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
INTRODUCTION
The CoreOS Kernel team within Apple's CoreOS organization is looking for an exceptional OS kernel performance engineer to push the boundary of performance on Apple Silicon platforms - from iOS to macOS, visionOS and beyond. If you have a passion for low-level programming, performance optimization, and working at the intersection of software and hardware, this is your opportunity to have a major impact on end-user experience across Apple’s products.
DESCRIPTION
As part of the CoreOS Kernel engineering team, you will work on the core layers of the operating systems. In this role you will analyze and optimize the OS performance on upcoming platforms for responsiveness and efficiency. Drive innovative kernel and runtime design optimizations that improve scheduling, memory, and power efficiency. Collaborate with hardware architects and chip design teams to drive optimizations for Apple Silicon, and influence next generation CPU, GPU and memory subsystems. Engage across many teams, from hardware engineering to compiler, application and frameworks teams, to drive world-class end-to-end system performance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience
- Proficiency in C programming language
- Strong understanding of OS fundamentals
- Ability to collaborate across teams to drive development and performance optimizations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with kernel development and low-level performance analysis
- Knowledge of modern CPU and memory architectures
- Expertise with profiling tools and analysis (Instruments, VTune, etc.)
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 $129,300 and $225,300, 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
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See all 104+ Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Performance Engineer Jobs at Apple
Build a profiling portfolio before applying
Apple's Performance Engineering teams evaluate candidates on hands-on experience with tools like Instruments, DTrace, and low-level CPU profiling. Document specific optimization wins, measurable latency reductions, or memory footprint improvements from past roles before your first interview.
Target teams building Apple Silicon products
Performance Engineer openings tied to Apple Silicon, Metal GPU optimization, or real-time OS scheduling tend to require deep systems expertise. These roles align closely with Apple's in-house chip roadmap, which drives sustained and predictable hiring across hardware performance functions.
Align your degree field to the posted role
Apple's H-1B petitions for Performance Engineers typically cite Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering as the qualifying specialty occupation field. A degree in an unrelated discipline can complicate your I-129 petition, so clarify field alignment with your immigration attorney early.
Start OPT paperwork at least three months out
USCIS recommends filing your OPT EAD application up to 90 days before your program end date. For Performance Engineer roles at Apple, which often have extended hiring cycles due to technical interviews, early filing prevents gaps between your start date and valid work authorization.
Confirm your visa type before accepting the offer
Apple sponsors H-1B, E-3, H-1B1 visa, and TN visas depending on your nationality. During offer negotiation, confirm which category your recruiter is filing under. E-3 and TN processing moves faster than H-1B, which affects your realistic start date and any relocation planning.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open roles by visa type
Apple posts Performance Engineer positions across multiple teams simultaneously, and not all roles carry the same sponsorship scope. Use Migrate Mate to filter current openings by the visa categories Apple supports for this function, so you apply to roles that fit your authorization status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple sponsor H-1B visas for Performance Engineers?
Yes, Apple sponsors H-1B visas for Performance Engineer roles. Apple participates in the annual H-1B cap lottery each April for new sponsorships, but cap-exempt situations such as transfers from existing H-1B holders can be filed year-round. If you're already on H-1B status, an H-1B transfer to Apple can proceed without waiting for the next lottery cycle.
How do I apply for Performance Engineer jobs at Apple?
Applications go through Apple's careers portal at jobs.apple.com, where Performance Engineer roles are listed by team and product area. Roles in areas like Apple Silicon, CoreOS, and GPU performance tend to appear regularly. You can also use Migrate Mate to browse current openings filtered by visa sponsorship type, which makes it easier to identify roles that match your work authorization status before you apply.
Which visa types does Apple commonly use for Performance Engineer roles?
Apple sponsors H-1B, H-1B1 visa, E-3 visa, TN visa, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, and employment-based Green Card categories including EB-2 and EB-3 for Performance Engineers. Australian citizens typically qualify for the E-3 visa, Canadians and Mexicans for TN visa, and Chilean or Singaporean nationals for H-1B1 visa. Each category has different processing timelines and renewal structures, so your nationality and career stage will shape which path applies to you.
What qualifications does Apple expect for Performance Engineer roles?
Apple typically expects a bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering for Performance Engineer positions. Beyond the degree, hiring teams look for demonstrated experience with profiling frameworks, performance regression analysis, and system-level debugging on real hardware. Candidates targeting Apple Silicon or GPU performance roles benefit from familiarity with Metal, ARM architecture, or low-level OS internals.
How do I plan my timeline if Apple is sponsoring my visa?
Timeline depends heavily on which visa category applies to you. E-3 and TN sponsorships can often be secured within a few weeks through consular processing. H-1B sponsorships for new cap-subject beneficiaries require registration in the March lottery, with employment starting no earlier than October 1 of that fiscal year. F-1 OPT holders can start sooner if their EAD is active. Align your offer acceptance and notice period with your specific category's processing window.