Platform Architect - Security (Platform Architecture)

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 212,000 - 318,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Discounted products and services

Reimbursement for educational expenses

Discretionary bonuses or commission payments

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Platform Architect - Security in Cupertino, California. This role involves leading cross-functional teams to design and implement security architectures for Apple's cutting-edge products.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in cryptographic principles, platform security, and threat modeling. The position requires strong leadership skills to collaborate with various engineering teams to enhance security while ensuring a great user experience.

The position offers a competitive salary of $212,000 – $318,400, alongside comprehensive benefits and opportunities for employee stock programs.

Qualifications

• BS degree or equivalent industry experience required.
• Experience with basic cryptographic principles necessary.
• Knowledge of platform security primitives essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop threat models and security architectures for new products.
• Write system-level specifications to guide product development.
• Champion adoption of security technologies across product categories.

Skills

Cryptographic principles

Platform security primitives

Threat modeling

Cross-functional leadership

User identification technologies

Education

BS degree or equivalent industry experience

Tools

Python

C

Unix shell scripting

Job description

Platform Architect - Security (Platform Architecture)

Cupertino, California, United States – Hardware

At Apple, we strive to do our life's best work by building a seamless ecosystem across tightly integrated hardware, software, and services. The Platform Architecture group is at the forefront of defining, designing and connecting this ecosystem. The PA‑Security group is a team of engineers dedicated to securing Apple’s most advanced consumer devices, preserving privacy, storing personal data, and delivering the highest quality user experience. This role focuses on raising the bar for security across Apple’s product lineup while maintaining an exceptional user experience.

Description

As a member of Platform Architecture, you will lead cross‑functional teams through the product development cycle. You will collaborate with security architects and researchers across software, hardware, silicon, server, and product groups to design security solutions that elevate the overall security profile of our systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop threat models and associated security architectures for new Apple products and technologies, derive system security requirements, and design balanced mitigations in partnership with product and engineering teams.
• Write detailed system‑level specifications to guide product development, integration, and quality assurance across team boundaries (e.g., client/server).
• Use interpersonal and technical skills to champion adoption of industry‑leading security technologies across multiple product categories.
• Identify emerging threats, new attacks, and mitigation techniques, driving architecture evolution to stay ahead of the industry.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with basic cryptographic principles (e.g., symmetric vs asymmetric crypto, encryption vs authentication, post‑quantum algorithms, or public key infrastructure).
• Experience with platform security primitives (e.g., Secure Boot, Secure Update, Secure Communication, Secure lifecycle management).
• Experience in threat modeling of security features and architecture across software, hardware, and system designs.
• Experience leading cross‑functional initiatives to define, drive, and productize security features.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 20 years relevant industry experience.
• Experience in threat modeling of security features and architecture spanning software, hardware, and system designs.
• Effective communication of highly technical details to non‑technical audiences.
• Experience with user identification and authentication technologies such as biometrics or smart cards.
• Knowledge of operating system concepts (isolation, privilege levels) and platform security concepts (virtualization, confidential computing).
• Experience defining or evaluating platform security features across client/server environments and factory or organizational deployments.
• Basic programming or auditing experience with Python, C, Unix shell scripting, and familiarity with using AI to facilitate research, design, and evaluation activities.

Base pay range: $212,000 – $318,400, determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become shareholders through Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs, including restricted stock units and a stock purchase plan. Additional benefits include comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, discounted products and services, and reimbursement for certain educational expenses. This role may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation assistance.

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 committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Apple believes accessibility is a fundamental human right. We welcome diverse perspectives to help you build a career where you feel you belong.