Big Data Systems Engineer

Apple Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Austin, Texas is seeking a Linux Systems Engineer to deploy, manage, and scale a large fleet of Linux hosts powering critical services. You will automate with Puppet/Ansible, develop tooling in Python or Go, and partner with engineering teams to improve reliability, security, and self-service capabilities across the fleet.

A strong foundation in Linux, scripting, and networking, plus experience with Git and CI/CD, is required.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Linux systems administration on enterprise distributions (RHEL/Oracle Linux/CentOS).
• Scripting for automation using Bash, Python, or Go.
• Solid understanding of Linux fundamentals (FS, processes, users/groups, package management).
• Networking basics: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, firewall basics.
• Experience with Git for version control.
• Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and DevOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, and maintain large-scale Linux systems across production environments.
• Develop and maintain automation/configuration management solutions with Puppet, Ansible, or similar tools.
• Write and maintain operational tooling in Python or Go to improve reliability.
• Debug complex systems issues from application to kernel and drive resolutions.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and service democratization across the organization.
• Promote self-service tooling and security best practices across the fleet.

Skills

Bash scripting

Linux systems administration

Linux fundamentals

Networking concepts

Python or Go

Git

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Puppet

Ansible

Job description

Austin, Texas, United States Software and Services

Imagine what you could do here. The people here at Apple don't just create products — they create the kind of wonders that have revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us lead the future generation of innovation.

Description

Join our Infrastructure Systems Engineering team within the Fleet Operations Engineering organization, where we design, build, and operate the large-scale Linux systems that power experiences relied upon across Apple every day. Our mission is to keep critical infrastructure healthy, secure, and scalable — and we do it by investing in automation, self-service tooling, and engineering excellence.As a Linux Systems Engineer, you will deploy, manage, and maintain a large fleet of Linux systems — partnering with engineering teams across the company to solve complex problems using both open-source and in-house tooling. You'll champion a culture of automation, help teams take ownership of their services, and play a meaningful role in security and business initiatives that have broad impact. If you're someone who loves deep systems work and wants room to grow, you'll find a meaningful home here.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, and maintain large-scale Linux systems across production and non-production environments
• Develop and maintain automation and configuration management solutions using Puppet, Ansible, or similar tooling
• Write and maintain operational tooling in Python or Go to improve reliability and reduce manual intervention
• Debug complex systems issues — from the application layer down to the kernel — and drive resolution
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, revision control workflows, and configuration management practices
• Partner with engineering teams to promote self-service tooling and service democratization across the organization
• Help enforce security best practices, OS hardening, and compliance standards across the fleet

Minimum Qualifications

• Hands-on Linux systems administration experience with enterprise distributions such as RHEL, Oracle Linux, or CentOS
• Proficiency in Bash shell scripting for automation, task management, and system operations
• Solid understanding of Linux fundamentals: file systems, process management, user and group administration, and package management
• Working knowledge of networking concepts including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and basic firewall configuration
• Proficiency in Python or Go for scripting and tooling
• Experience with version control systems such as Git

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AWS or GCP infrastructure is a plus
• Experience managing Linux systems at scale in a production enterprise environment
• Experience with at least one configuration management or automation tool such as Puppet or Ansible
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes
• Knowledge of OS security hardening, encryption, and regulatory compliance frameworks
• Exposure to monitoring and observability tooling for fleet health and incident response
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field

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

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong. Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants