Data Center Hardware Engineering - Hardware Technician

Apple•Austin, TX

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Apple’s Data Center Hardware Engineering Team designs and delivers high-performance compute solutions for Apple’s services and products. The Hardware System Integration team develops customized compute platforms from concept through mass production. The Hardware Technician supports development of next-generation custom server hardware, with a focus on precise electrical rework and modifications to prototype server main logic boards (MLBs), companion boards, and test fixtures. The role also supports lab measurements, hardware debugging, failure analysis, fixture builds, test automation, prototype assembly, and general lab operations in close partnership with System Integration engineers. This hybrid role translates schematic changes and debugging ideas into finished, verified, and documented results.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in high-precision manual assembly and rework of electronic circuit boards in an R&D lab, hardware development, or production-support setting.
Ability to hand-solder and rework BGA, LGA, QFN, and CSP packages and passives down to 0201 under a microscope, including fine jumper wires, micro-coax, and trace modifications.
Expertise operating soldering irons, hot air, preheaters, hot plates, and BGA rework stations.
Skill with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMMs, and DC power supplies, including setting triggers and timebase, selecting probes, using correct grounding, and capturing waveforms for engineering review.
Ability to read schematics and PCB layouts and locate components and test points on dense boards.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including managing engineer expectations, explaining technical tradeoffs, and documenting work clearly.
Commitment to lab safety, ESD practices, and housekeeping; familiarity with basic chemical hazards such as solvents, fluxes, and epoxies.
Ability to lift up to 35 lbs for rework duties.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, a technical certificate in electronics, or equivalent military or industry training.

Nice To Haves

Experience reworking large server or high-layer-count (16+ layer) boards, including BGA reballing and thermal profiling.
Experience operating and interpreting 2D/3D X-ray inspection for BGA/LGA voiding and assembly defects.
Experience with automated or semi-automated BGA rework systems, such as Ersa HR550 or similar.
IPC-7711/7721, IPC J-STD-001, and/or IPC-A-610 certification.
Experience debugging failed units and performing structured failure analysis.
Experience with active, differential, and current probes, and protocol decoding for I2C/SMBus, SPI, and UART.
Experience taking EE validation measurements from engineer-defined procedures, including power-rail ripple and noise, load transient response, sequencing and timing margins, and low-speed bus signal quality, and recording results against specification limits.
Familiarity with power sequencing and VRM behavior on multi-rail compute platforms.
Experience with high-current test setups, electronic loads, and other benchtop instruments.
Experience developing or supporting automated test systems, including script setup, data collection, and test reports.
Familiarity with Python, Bash, LabVIEW, or similar scripting for instrument control or data capture.
Experience building test fixtures and support hardware, including basic mechanical modifications.
Experience with high-performance compute hardware or custom server platforms.
Ability to navigate ECAD viewers such as Allegro or ODB++ viewers to examine board design files.
Ability to lift and configure server components up to 50 lbs.
At least 5 years of experience in high-precision manual assembly and rework of electronic circuit boards in an R&D lab, hardware development, or production-support setting.

Responsibilities

Rework and modify complex prototype server boards and test fixtures using schematics, layout files, and engineering change requests, including BGA/LGA/QFN removal and replacement, fine-pitch passives, jumper wires, micro-coax installation, and trace cutting.
Control thermal processes when reworking thick, high-layer-count boards with large thermal mass, using appropriate preheating, bottom-side heating, and thermal profiling while protecting nearby components and the PCB.
Verify rework with DMMs, power supplies, and oscilloscopes by checking continuity, opens and shorts, component values, and circuit operation.
Support board bring-up and debugging through quick-turn rework, component swaps, and debug modifications; capture power sequencing, reset and power-good timing, clocks, and low-speed bus signals, and report annotated results.
Assist with structured failure analysis to identify root causes of failed units through isolation, component removal, and inspection.
Build and modify test fixtures, cables, and support hardware, perform basic mechanical changes, and help assemble prototype systems.
Help engineers set up and run automated test systems, collect data, and summarize results.
Receive, prioritize, and log rework and measurement requests in a tracking system to ensure timely, documented, traceable work.
Advise engineers on rework approaches, component substitutions, and probe-point access, and identify risks to board reliability or measurement accuracy before work begins.
Keep rework and test stations organized, calibrated, and stocked; track equipment maintenance and calibration.
Follow and enforce EH&S requirements and laboratory SOPs, including ESD controls and safe handling of chemicals and hot equipment.
Write and refine rework and measurement procedures and share best practices with the team and, when needed, factory and contract manufacturing partners.