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 sits at the heart of this mission, owning the design and realization of customized compute platforms from concept to mass production. We're looking for a Hardware System Integration Engineer who thrives in a highly collaborative environment, enjoys working across disciplines, and is energized by the challenge of bringing cutting-edge hardware to life.

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. This role demands both deep technical expertise and strong communication skills to drive alignment across a broad set of stakeholders.

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 transistor 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

Partner cross-functionally with mechanical, firmware, software, silicon, and reliability teams to balance design tradeoffs and meet program requirements

Support factory builds and sustaining engineering activities through mass production

Drive issues to root cause through systematic debugging using EE lab equipment (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer, DMM)

Preferred Qualifications

High-speed PCB design experience with 10+ layer boards, including PCB material selection and stackup definition

Proficiency with schematic entry and high-speed PCB layout constraint management using Cadence tools or equivalent

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 developing automation or data manipulation scripts

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

10+ 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

Working knowledge of common low-speed and high-speed digital interfaces: I2C/SMBus, SPI, JTAG, USB, PCIe, Ethernet (SGMII, RMII, QSFP), and DDR memory

Broad circuit design experience across multiple domains: power, digital, analog, high-speed communications, and/or programmable logic

Experience with PCB bring-up and characterization using standard EE lab equipment (soldering, DMM, oscilloscope, logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer)

Demonstrated ability to debug complex hardware issues from the system level down to the circuit/transistor level

Outstanding written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with experience producing functional specs, integration procedures, and technical documentation

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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.