New job posting points to huge effort to cut down power consumption in OS X

May 17, 2013 18:31 GMT  ·  By

Apple needs an OS X Product Release Software Engineer to handle all power consumption aspects of the operating system, from kernel and services, to frameworks and applications.

The first line in the job advert reads, “Help make Mac OS X the most efficient desktop operating system in the world” – a clear testament of Apple’s ambition to stand out with the next-generation OS X.

The new recruit will be incorporated in Apple’s Integration team which deals with “measuring the correctness, reliability, and power consumption of OS X's core OS components such as the kernel, services, frameworks, and applications.”

“Our tools consistently stress OS X to its limits, and run the gamut from low level diagnostic tools to Ruby on Rails web applications providing REST services,” Apple adds.

The selected applicant will be required to develop, run, and report data from power measurement tools. The engineer will be acquainted with both existing and “unreleased OS X technologies,” Apple reveals.

The main goal will be to “raise awareness of power consumption and drive improvements with OS X teams directly responsible for key features.”

To fit Apple’s requirements for this position, note that you need to be “highly technical, creative, motivated,” and driven by results.

Of course, no tech company would accept anything less, so don’t let the nomenclature intimidate you. They’re Apple, and they’re proud to say they’re the best.

Also worth noting, in case you have intentions to move on to Apple's Core OS engineering group, Apple says “this is an excellent opportunity” to do just that.

In other words, Apple could be sending an indirect message to existing engineers, in case they’re bored of their current office.

The summary of the job description goes as such.

- Develop software power consumption tests and tools for OS X technologies. - Develop statistical measurements to gather and debug customer power consumption data. - Work with key OS X teams to improve overall power consumption levels. - Work to improve our automated test infrastructure. - Investigate customer and Apple-internal reported power issues.

Education-wise, the Cupertino giant needs someone with a BS or Master’s degree in Math, Computer Science, Physics, EE, or related discipline.

Apple is expected to unveil OS X 10.9, the next major version of the company’s Mac OS, at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, this June.