Platform Security Architect — Distributed Systems

Apple Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Secure Systems Engineer to join the Platform Architecture Security Team in Austin, TX.

You will define and oversee the architecture of distributed security systems that enforce product security policies, shaping end-to-end safeguards across devices and services. The role emphasizes hands-on engineering with growth into architectural leadership, requiring deep experience in building secure systems and collaborating across teams to uphold high security and availability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, related engineering degree or equivalent job-related experience.
• Experience applying security practices to the design, development, or operation of production services.
• Experience with common programming languages such as Python or Go.
• Experience conducting security architecture reviews, threat modeling, or identifying vulnerabilities in complex distributed systems.
• Experience with cryptography and security protocols, including at least two of the following: PKI, TLS, Key Management, Secure Boot, or Authentication/Authorization.

Responsibilities

• Define the security requirements and drive the security architecture for the distributed systems that set and enforce Apple's product security policy.
• Identify emerging threats and develop threat models for those services.
• Manage the security policy enforced by those services, reasoning about how they interact with Apple products to ensure end-to-end security guarantees are upheld.
• Build prototypes and tooling to validate security designs and automate policy enforcement.
• Lead cross-functional teams throughout the service lifecycle, from design through deployment and operation, to resolve system-level issues without sacrificing security or compromising availability and performance.
• Use a wide range of interpersonal and technical skills to champion robust security design and best practices across the teams that build and operate those services.
• Leverage strong written and oral communication skills to partner with engineering teams, demonstrating the confidence to advocate for security requirements even under pressure.
• Apply natural curiosity and a problem-solving mindset to tackle unfamiliar systems and ambiguous project scopes, adapting quickly to keep security initiatives moving forward.

Skills

Security architecture reviews

Threat modeling

Distributed systems security

Python/Go programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, related engineering degree or equivalent job-related experience

Tools

Python

Go

PKI

TLS

Key Management

Secure Boot

Authentication/Authorization

Job description

Apple Inc. is seeking a Secure Systems Engineer to join the Platform Architecture Security Team in Austin, TX.

You will define and oversee the architecture of distributed security systems that enforce product security policies, shaping end-to-end safeguards across devices and services. The role emphasizes hands-on engineering with growth into architectural leadership, requiring deep experience in building secure systems and collaborating across teams to uphold high security and availability