Data Center Hardware Engineering - Hardware Technician

At Apple, we push the boundaries of what's possible and nowhere is that more evident than in the infrastructure that powers our most ambitious technologies. The Data Center Hardware Engineering Team designs and delivers the high-performance compute solutions that underpin Apple's services and products at scale. From custom silicon to full-system integration, our work ensures that Apple's global infrastructure is fast, efficient, and built to last. The Hardware System Integration team is central to this mission, owning the design and realization of customized compute platforms from concept to mass production.

We're looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Hardware Technician to support development of next-generation custom server hardware. This hybrid role is ideal for someone with expert rework skills and solid ability to take lab measurements and debug hardware. Your main focus will be precise electrical rework and modifications on prototype server main logic boards (MLBs), companion boards, and test fixtures. Fast, reliable rework lets the team bring up early hardware revisions quickly. You'll also use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMMs and power supplies to verify rework, take measurements and help engineers track down problems during bring-up. In addition, you'll help with failure analysis, test fixture builds, test automation setups and general lab operations, working closely with the System Integration engineers to turn schematic changes and debug ideas into finished, verified, documented results.

Precision rework: Work independently to rework and modify complex prototype server boards and test fixtures from schematics, layout files and engineering change requests. This includes BGA/LGA/QFN removal and replacement, fine-pitch passives, jumper wires, micro-coax installation and cutting traces. Large-board process control: Rework thick, high-layer-count boards with large thermal mass using the right preheat, bottom-side heating and thermal profiling, without damaging nearby parts or the PCB. Rework verification: Check completed rework with DMMs, power supplies and oscilloscopes. Verify continuity, look for opens and shorts, measure component values, and confirm that modified circuits work as intended. Bring-up & debug support: Help engineers track down problems during board bring-up with quick-turn rework, component swaps and debug modifications. Use oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to capture power sequencing, reset and power-good timing, clocks, and low-speed buses (I2C/SMBus, SPI, UART), and report clear, annotated results. Failure analysis: Help engineers find the root cause of failed units through structured isolation, component removal and inspection. Test fixtures & prototype support: Build and modify test fixtures, cables and support hardware, including basic mechanical changes, and help assemble prototype systems. Test automation support: Help engineers set up and run automated test systems, collect data and summarize the results. Lab request queue: Take in, prioritize and log rework and measurement requests in our tracking system so work gets done on time and is documented and traceable. Engineering partnership: Advise engineers on the best rework approach, component substitutions and probe-point access. Point out risks to board reliability or measurement accuracy before work starts. Lab operations: Keep rework and test stations organized, calibrated and stocked with solder, flux, wick, components and probing accessories. Track equipment maintenance and calibration. Health & safety: Follow and enforce EH&S compliance and lab SOPs, including ESD control and safe handling of chemicals and hot equipment. Process improvement: Write and refine rework and measurement procedures, and share best practices across the team and with factory and CM partners when needed.

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 Proven 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 Expert operation of rework equipment: soldering irons, hot air, preheaters and hot plates, and BGA rework stations Skilled with electrical lab instruments: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMMs and DC power supplies. This includes setting triggers and timebase, using correct grounding and choosing the right probe, and capturing waveforms for engineering review Able to read schematics and PCB layouts and find components and test points on dense boards Strong written and verbal communication skills, including managing engineer expectations, explaining technical tradeoffs and documenting work clearly Strong commitment to lab safety, ESD practices and housekeeping. Familiarity with basic chemical hazards (solvents, fluxes, epoxies), and able to lift up to 35 lbs

(Rework) 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 (e.g., Ersa HR550 or similar) IPC-7711/7721, IPC J-STD-001 and/or IPC-A-610 certification (Measurement, debug & failure analysis) Experience debugging failed units and performing structured failure analysis Experience with active, differential and current probes, and with protocol decode (I2C/SMBus, SPI, UART) Experience taking EE validation measurements from engineer-defined procedures, such as power rail ripple and noise, load transient response, sequencing and timing margins, and signal quality on low-speed buses, and recording results against spec 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 (Test automation & fixtures) Experience developing or supporting automated test systems, including script setup, data collection and test reports Familiarity with scripting (Python, Bash, LabVIEW or similar) for instrument control or data capture Experience building test fixtures and support hardware, including basic mechanical modifications (General) Experience with high-performance compute hardware or custom server platforms Able to navigate ECAD viewers (Allegro or ODB++ viewers) to examine board design files Able to lift and configure server components up to 50 lbs Associate or Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, technical certificate in electronics, or equivalent military or industry training 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