Data Center Cluster Architect

Apple; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 313,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Data Center Cluster Architect to lead the design and optimization of high-performance computing architectures. This role involves collaborating with various engineering teams to create innovative solutions for complex system architectures. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in networking protocols and system design, with a focus on AI/ML workloads. Join a forward-thinking company where you will have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers and explore new product features while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a competitive salary package. This is your chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Discounted products and free services

Tuition reimbursement for education

Employee stock purchase plan

Discretionary bonuses

Relocation assistance

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience in system architecture.
• Strong technical breadth across CPU, GPU, TPU, and networking.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize architectures for high-performance computing clusters.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient data flow.

Skills

System Architecture

Networking Protocols

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

AI/ML Workloads

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Automation Tools

Performance Analysis Tools

Job description

Data Center Cluster Architect

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

Summary

Posted: Mar 31, 2025

Weekly Hours: 40

Role Number: 200582452

The Datacenter Systems Architecture team seeks an outstanding Cluster architect to design and optimize computer architectures specifically for high-performance computing (HPC) clusters. This position is a multi-disciplinary and cross-functional lead engineering role encompassing all aspects of computer system design. The candidate will have the skills and experience to create complex system architectures, surprise and delight our customers, and advance our products’ performance, size, power, thermal and cost goals.

Description

As a technical specialist, negotiate and document the solution details of the infrastructure from a physical, electrical, and logical perspective of compute clusters within the datacenter. Collaborate and leverage domain expertise knowledge to provide guidance and leadership to cross-functional engineering teams to integrate cluster network architectures into overall system architecture to ensure efficient data flow, impact product definitions, and meet scalability requirements. Define the rack and cluster capabilities, configurations, and scale out requirements to support the deployment of dense compute and specialty compute workloads and applications, including but not limited to the following:

1. Pathfinding on novel cluster architecture choices with a broad group of architects and system engineers, networking, technical leads, and HW/SW stakeholders.
2. Creating optimized network designs for large-scale AI/ML clusters considering factors like bandwidth, latency, and scalability.
3. Influencing networking hardware and software components selection for the cluster, including switches, adapters, and protocols.
4. Analyzing network traffic patterns and implementing strategies to improve data transfer speeds within the cluster for target topologies and choice configurations.
5. Collaborate with mechanical, physical, electrical, thermal, power, networking, OS, SW, datacenter infrastructure stakeholders for performant scalable deployments.
6. Be innovative and curious. Explore and champion new product-level features and workflows.
7. Define, develop and utilize tools, scripts, automation and methods of system analysis for performance of compute clusters within a DC environment.
8. Mentor junior engineers to best practices and data-driven processes.

The role may require occasional domestic and international travel.

Minimum Qualifications

1. BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
2. Possesses strong technical breadth across several computer subsystem technologies, e.g., CPU, GPU, TPU, storage, memory, power delivery, power management, high speed networking, I/O, thermal management.
3. Has core competence and subject matter expertise architecting complex system architectures for general purpose compute, or specialty compute (GPUs, TPUs) systems running datacenter workloads for AI/ML applications.
4. Comprehends the roles of HW/FW/SW layers and how they interact in system design.
5. Ability to create, review and approve engineering requirement specification documents.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Possesses functional experience in defining and deploying datacenter cluster networking architectures over highly dense mesh networks and interconnected nodes for AI/ML based workloads.
2. Detailed knowledge of network protocols, expertise in Ethernet, Infiniband, RoCE, UE, UAL, or other relevant networking protocols.
3. Has strong analytical, verbal, written, and communication skills. Ability to summarize and effectively communicate technical issues and actions to key stakeholders and leadership teams.

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 $175,800 and $312,200, 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.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure 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.