Data Center Hardware Engineering - Hardware System Integration Engineer
At Apple, we push the boundaries of what's possible and nowhere is that more evident than in the infrastructure that powers our most ambitious technologies. The Data Center Hardware Engineering Team designs and delivers the high-performance compute solutions that underpin Apple's services and products at scale. From custom silicon to full-system integration, our work ensures that Apple's global infrastructure is fast, efficient, and built to last. Every system we ship reflects our relentless commitment to engineering excellence and our belief that great hardware is the foundation of great experiences.
The Hardware System Integration team is central to this mission, owning the design and realization of customized compute platforms from concept to mass production.
Description
As a Hardware System Integration Engineer, you will own the end-to-end hardware engineering lifecycle for high-performance compute designs - from initial specification and schematic capture through board bring-up, validation, and factory build support. You will serve as a critical cross-functional partner to mechanical, power, software, firmware, silicon, and reliability teams, ensuring design requirements are met with precision and at scale.
We're looking for someone who thrives in a highly collaborative environment, enjoys working across disciplines, and is energized by the challenge of bringing cutting-edge hardware to life.
Responsibilities:
Lead hardware system design and schematic capture for high-performance compute platforms, including board layout guidance and design constraint management
Perform signal integrity simulation, board bring-up, and hands-on debug from system level down to the component or circuit level
Develop and maintain functional specifications, validation procedures, and integration documentation for complex system designs
Execute validation of high-speed digital interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, USB, DDR, and others) including compliance testing and protocol analysis
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Partner cross-functionally with mechanical, firmware, software, silicon, and reliability teams to balance design tradeoffs and meet program requirements
Lead factory build support and sustaining engineering activities through mass production
Drive systematic root cause analysis of complex hardware failures using standard EE lab instrumentation
Apply DFM/DFT/DFA principles throughout the design cycle to ensure reliable, cost-effective manufacturability at scale
Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on PCIe, 100-GbE, USB3/USB4, or similar high-speed serial protocol experience, including compliance testing and protocol analyzer debug
Familiarity with computer architecture concepts and hardware design tradeoffs
Experience scripting in Python or similar languages for test automation, data analysis, or lab instrumentation control
Experience engaging vendors and ODM/CM partners, including component vendors and reference design partners
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
12+ years of relevant industry work experience in hardware or systems engineering
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent work experience
7+ years of relevant industry work experience in hardware or systems engineering
Deep expertise across common low-speed and high-speed digital interfaces: I2C/SMBus, SPI, JTAG, USB, PCIe, Ethernet (SGMII, RMII, QSFP), and DDR memory
Circuit design experience across multiple domains: power, digital, analog, high-speed communications, and programmable logic
Demonstrated ability to bring up, characterize, and debug complex hardware from the system level down to the circuit level using standard EE lab equipment (DMM, oscilloscope, logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer)
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with experience producing functional specs, integration procedures, and technical documentation
High-speed PCB design experience with 10+ layer boards, including PCB material selection and stack-up definition
Proficiency with schematic entry and high-speed PCB layout constraint management using Cadence tools or equivalent
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
Parental Benefits
Work Flexibility
Office Life and Perks
Vacation and Time Off
Financial and Retirement
Professional Development
Diversity and Inclusion
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