Apple · 1 month ago
Network Cluster Architect - Data center Infrastructure
Cupertino, California, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$181K/yr - $318K/yr
8+ years expApple is a leading technology company responsible for designing and deploying next-generation compute infrastructure at scale. The Network Cluster Architect will own and advance investigations related to network topology, power distribution, and server hardware design, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient and scalable deployments.
AppsArtificial Intelligence (AI)BroadcastingDigital EntertainmentFoundational AIMedia and EntertainmentMobile DevicesOperating SystemsTVWearables
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
Retirement benefits
A range of discounted products and free services
Reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition
Discretionary bonuses or commission payments
Relocation
Company
Apple
Apple is a technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronics, personal computers, and software.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Apple has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (6998)
2024 (3766)
2023 (3939)
2022 (4822)
2021 (4060)
2020 (3656)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$5.67BKey Investors
Berkshire HathawayMicrosoftSequoia Capital
2026-01-10Pre Seed· $1M
2025-05-05Post Ipo Debt· $4.5B
2025-01-16Post Ipo Debt· $0.31M
Leadership Team
Tim Cook
CEO
Craig Federighi
SVP, Software Engineering
Recent News
Venrock
2025-12-01
2025-09-25
Mac Daily News
2025-09-25
Company data provided by crunchbase