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, collaborating with cross-functional teams including mechanical, power, software, and silicon design. The role requires expertise in high-speed board design, PCB material selection, and debugging complex hardware systems, while also supporting manufacturing teams with DFM and hardware test engineering. Candidates should have a strong background in electrical or computer engineering, with at least 8 years of industry experience, and proficiency in high-speed protocols like PCIe and 100-GbE, as well as low-speed interfaces such as I2C and SPI. Additionally, knowledge of clocking technology, passive components, and power supply design is essential, along with experience using test equipment like oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate leadership in bringing complex systems from concept to mass production and possess excellent communication skills for presenting technical information to cross-functional teams.
>> View full job details on Apple’s official website.
Resume and Interview Tips:
When tailoring your resume for the Hardware Development Engineer role at Apple, focus on highlighting your hands-on experience with high-speed board design and PCB material selection, as these are critical for the position. Emphasize any projects where you took ownership of subsystems or boards, showcasing your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage design constraints using tools like Cadence. Be sure to detail your expertise in high-speed protocols such as PCIe and 100-GbE, as well as low-speed interfaces like I2C and SPI, as these are key requirements. Include specific examples of debugging complex hardware issues, particularly at the system and transistor levels, and mention any experience with test equipment like oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers. Leadership experience in bringing a product from concept to mass production will set you apart, so highlight any roles where you led complex system developments. Finally, don’t forget to showcase your communication skills, as the ability to present technical information clearly to cross-functional teams is highly valued.
During the interview for the Hardware Development Engineer position at Apple, expect deep technical questions about high-speed board design, PCB material selection, and debugging methodologies. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Cadence tools and how you’ve managed design constraints in past projects. Interviewers will likely probe your knowledge of high-speed protocols like PCIe and 100-GbE, so review the fundamentals and be ready to explain how you’ve applied them in real-world scenarios. You may also be asked to walk through your approach to debugging jitter issues or troubleshooting low-speed interfaces like I2C and SPI. Since collaboration is a key part of the role, practice explaining how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, power, and silicon design engineers. Be ready to discuss your leadership experience in system development, particularly how you’ve guided a product from concept to mass production. Finally, polish your communication skills, as you’ll need to present technical information clearly and concisely, possibly through diagrams or presentations during the interview.