Job Overview:
The Hardware Development Engineer for Data Center Hardware at Apple will take ownership of designing, debugging, and validating circuit boards for custom enterprise servers, requiring collaboration with mechanical, power, software, firmware, and silicon design teams. The role demands expertise in high-speed PCB design, schematic management, and debugging from system to transistor level, as well as familiarity with protocols like PCIe, 100-GbE, and USB. Additionally, the engineer will support manufacturing teams with DFM and hardware test engineering, ensuring modular systems meet evolving customer needs while working with cross-functional teams to negotiate features and requirements.
>> View full job details on Apple’s official website.
Resume and Interview Tips:
When tailoring your resume for this role at Apple, emphasize your hands-on experience with high-speed board design, particularly with 8+ layer PCBs and Cadence tools. Highlight projects where you took ownership of subsystems or interfaces, showcasing your ability to collaborate across mechanical, power, and software teams. Mention specific protocols you’ve worked with, such as PCIe or 100-GbE, and any compliance testing or debug experience. Leadership in bringing a complex system from concept to mass production is a major plus—detail your role in such projects, including how you coordinated with silicon engineering teams. Don’t forget to include your proficiency with test equipment like oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers, as well as your communication skills, which are critical for presenting technical information to cross-functional teams.
During the interview, expect deep technical questions on high-speed board design, including material selection, signal integrity, and debugging techniques. Be prepared to discuss your experience with PCIe, 100-GbE, or USB protocols, and how you resolved issues like jitter or compliance failures. The interviewer will likely probe your ability to work cross-functionally—share examples of how you collaborated with mechanical, software, or silicon teams to solve problems or negotiate requirements. Demonstrating leadership in system development, especially from design to production, will set you apart. Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly, as communication skills are highly valued. Finally, review your past projects thoroughly, as you may be asked to walk through your decision-making process or challenges faced during development.