Network Cluster Architect - Data center Infrastructure

Apple; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 181,100 - 318,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement for formal education

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking a Network Cluster Architect to advance critical investigations in data center design and electrical systems. The role requires 8+ years of experience in hardware architecture, strong technical skills in systems design, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. You will be responsible for optimizing network designs and conducting technical analysis while communicating complex findings to leadership. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits while contributing to innovative AI/ML workloads.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry experience in hardware architecture or data center design.
• Proficient in electromagnetic fundamentals and design validation.
• Experience with high-speed board design and simulations.

Responsibilities

• Define and model data center infrastructure solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Drive technical investigations and performance analysis.

Skills

System Architecture & Design

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Technical Investigation & Analysis

Network Topology Design

Electrical Systems Integration

GenAI-Powered Modeling & Automation

Executive Communication

Mentoring & Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Master's degree or Ph.D. in related field

Tools

PCIe

Ethernet

I2C/SMBus

SPI

USB

DDR Memory

High-speed PCB design

Job description

Overview

The Data Center Hardware Engineering team is responsible for designing and deploying Apple's next-generation compute infrastructure at scale. Our team works on projects from early design conception through mass production, focusing on cluster-level network architecture, data hall power distribution, rack-level electrical systems, and server hardware design. This is a highly cross-functional organization that collaborates closely with mechanical engineering, power systems, software and firmware teams, silicon design, hardware validation, and reliability engineering to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient compute solutions that power Apple's services and AI/ML workloads.

We are seeking experienced Systems Architects who can think holistically about infrastructure challenges—from the data center level down to individual components—and drive technical innovation through data-driven analysis and executive-level communication. Come join us!

Description

The Network Cluster Architect will be responsible for owning and advancing critical investigations spanning cluster-level network topology, hall-level power distribution, rack-level electrical systems, and server hardware electronics design. This role involves coordinating with cross-functional teams including electrical validation, software engineering, and hardware test teams to aggregate validation results and verifying design assumptions.

Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Design: Define and model data center infrastructure solutions from computer architecture and performance perspectives, including cluster network architectures, rack configurations, and scale-out requirements for dense compute and AI/ML workloads.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, thermal, power, networking, firmware, software, and datacenter infrastructure stakeholders to ensure performant and scalable deployments. Negotiate and balance competing priorities across multiple engineering teams.
• Technical Investigation & Analysis: Drive ongoing technical investigations to close open items from previous design phases. Conduct performance analysis, power efficiency studies, signal integrity assessments, and network topology optimization. Synthesize data from multiple sources and develop detailed technical documentation.
• Network Topology Design: Provide guidance on optimized network designs for large-scale AI/ML clusters, considering factors like bandwidth, latency, scalability, and cost. Influence networking hardware and software component selection including switches, adapters, interconnects, and protocols.
• Electrical Systems Integration: Support electrical design, simulation, bringup, debug, and validation activities. Work with high-speed digital interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, DDR), power conversion topologies, and signal/power integrity requirements.
• GenAI-Powered Modeling & Automation: Leverage modern GenAI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) to build analytical models, automate workflows, develop validation scripts, and accelerate data analysis tasks.
• Executive Communication: Present complex technical findings, trade-off analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Develop functional specifications, procedures, and documentation for complex system integration. Influence product-level decisions at the highest organizational levels.
• Mentoring & Leadership: Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers on best practices, data-driven processes, and systems-level thinking.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field
• 8+ years of relevant industry experience in hardware architecture, electrical engineering, network architecture, or data center infrastructure design
• Strong EE fundamentals, grounded in a solid understanding of electromagnetics and first principles
• Deep understanding of cluster and data hall level infrastructure, including network topology, power distribution systems, PDUs, busways, and electrical safety standards
• Working knowledge of design and validation requirements for common digital interfaces: I2C/SMBus, SPI, JTAG, USB, PCIe, Ethernet (QSFP, OSFP), DDR Memory, storage interfaces
• Experience with high-speed board design and can guide SI/PI simulations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with 10+ years of relevant industry experience
• Functional experience defining and deploying datacenter cluster networking architectures over highly dense mesh networks and interconnected nodes for AI/ML workloads
• Proven track record of deploying AI/ML experiences at scale in large-scale data centers with strong experience in modern ML architecture deployment
• Strong technical breadth across computer subsystem technologies: CPU, xPU, storage, memory, power delivery, high-speed networking, I/O, thermal management
• Exposure to hyperscale data center environments and experience designing for high volume, high power, highly reliable and available systems
• Familiarity with network cluster topologies for AI/ML workloads
• Proven ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams to aggregate validation results and drive technical consensus
• Strong systems-level thinking with ability to understand dependencies across cluster, hall, rack, and server levels
• High-speed PCB design experience with 10+ layer boards, including material selection and SI/PI simulation tools
• Understanding of computer architecture and design tradeoffs, high-speed bus throughput and latency analysis, and interconnect fabric standards
• Understanding of power efficiency optimization at scale and sustainability initiatives
• Prior experience in mentoring engineers or leading technical teams
• Superior written, verbal, and visual communication skills with demonstrated ability to present to executive leadership and influence strategic decisions

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 $181,100 and $318,400, 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.

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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.