Data Center Network Architect

Socket.dev; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple’s Data Center Network team is seeking engineers to build and operationalize scalable network infrastructure for services like iCloud, Siri, and Maps. You will design and implement high-performance, reliable distributed systems with deep expertise in routing, switching, and security.

The role emphasizes multi-vendor environments, VXLAN/GRE/IPSec overlay networking, and collaboration with hardware/software architecture teams to ensure Apple’s global networks meet scale and security goals.

Qualifications

• Subject Matter expertise in routing/switching.
• In-depth understanding of switching ASICs from multiple providers.
• Understanding of multi-vendor & open source network operating system architecture and design
• Sophisticated knowledge of TCP/IP, routing protocols, and large scale network features.
• Familiarity with network performance tuning and optimization
• Deep technical background in network-layer security mechanisms
• Cloud-scale networking background
• Experience deploying and scaling overlay networking technologies (VXLAN, GRE, IPSec, etc)
• Familiarity with data center structured cabling, fiber plant, power, and cooling

Responsibilities

• Build and operationalize innovative products and solutions for the hyper-scale network infrastructure.
• Design and deploy networks for high performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence and implement scalable networking solutions

Skills

Routing & Switching

TCP/IP

Network Security

Cloud-scale Networking

Overlay Networking

Data Center Networking

Tools

Puppet

Ansible

SaltStack

Chef

Job description

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something. People at Apple don’t just build products — they craft the kind of experience that has revolutionized entire industries. The diverse collection of our people and their ideas encourage innovation in everything we do. Imagine what you could do here! Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. Apple’s Network Infrastructure is a critical foundation in delivering Apple’s services (such as iCloud, iTunes, Siri, Maps) to billions of customers, and its employees. Apple’s Data Center Networking team is responsible for all aspect of the Network Infrastructure, from Operations to Architecture, thats deployed globally across Apple’s Data Centers and Edge locations. We are responsible for delivering a network that can match Apple’s scale, reliability and security goals. We work closely with Apple’s other Infrastructure organizations, Hardware and Software Architecture teams to influence, build and operate Apple’s Infrastructure. Our influences can range anywhere from Data Center Network Fabrics to a Hardware System Design. We listen to different perspectives, help surface innovative ideas, and drive decisions that move us forward.

Description

As a part of the Data Center Network team, you will build and operationalize innovative products and solutions that will craft the hyper-scale network infrastructure for Apple. We are looking for candidates who have a strong passion in building sophisticated large scale systems for high performance and reliability with broad experience in distributed systems architecture and networking!

Minimum Qualifications

• Subject Matter expertise in routing/switching.
• In-depth understanding of switching ASICs from multiple providers.
• Understanding of multi-vendor & open source network operating system architecture and design
• Sophisticated knowledge of TCP/IP, routing protocols, and large scale network features.
• Familiarity with network performance tuning and optimization
• Deep technical background in network-layer security mechanisms
• Cloud-scale networking background
• Experience deploying and scaling overlay networking technologies (VXLAN, GRE, IPSec, etc)
• Familiarity with data center structured cabling, fiber plant, power, and cooling

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in building, securing, and deploying large scale data center network environments Engineering leadership experienceSelf-starter, self-motivated, self-directed, and self-sufficient. Drives ideas from inception to implementationDemonstrates consistent technical, organizational, and industry-level awareness.Technical presentation and communication skills with the ability to articulate concepts, designs and decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences. Software and SystemsExperience with tooling development and software development lifecycle.Proficiency in one or more software languages (Swift, Golang, Python, etc)Extensive understanding of public & private cloud networking architecture & compute virtualization technologiesPractical knowledge of high-performance compute and artificial intelligence networkingExperience with configuration management platforms (Puppet, Ansible, Salt, Chef, etc)