Senior Software Engineer in Test - Distributed Systems

As a Senior Software Engineer in Test on the Private Cloud Compute team, you will be responsible for driving the test strategy, automation infrastructure, and validation frameworks that underpin some of Apple's most critical and technically complex distributed systems. You will operate at the intersection of hardware and software, working across the full stack to ensure that next-generation datacenter technology is performant, reliable, and ready to scale.

You will be expected to bring senior-level technical leadership to every initiative you own, from defining test architecture to driving resolution of the most complex system-level issues. You will collaborate directly with hardware and platform teams to validate novel compute platforms before they reach production and will build the tooling and automation infrastructure that enables the broader engineering organization to move with speed and confidence.

Lead the design and implementation of scalable, resilient test frameworks and automation infrastructure for distributed systems running on next-generation datacenter hardware and Private Cloud Compute platforms.
Own end-to-end test strategy for critical initiatives including unit testing, integration testing, performance testing, and system-level validation across hardware and software layers.
Architect and implement CI/CD pipeline integrations that enable continuous validation of software running on novel Apple Silicon compute platforms in a datacenter environment.
Drive automated validation of workload orchestration across distributed systems including scheduling, resource allocation, fault tolerance, and recovery behaviors at scale.
Design and execute test plans and test suites based on architecture specification documents, working closely with SOC architects, platform designers, and software engineers to validate hardware-software integration at every layer of the stack.
Build and maintain performance testing infrastructure to validate throughput, latency, and energy efficiency of machine learning and high performance computing workloads running on Apple Silicon in the cloud.
Lead triage efforts for complex, cross-functional system failures in distributed environments, driving root cause analysis and long-term resolution across multiple engineering teams.
Develop observability and diagnostic tooling to surface test coverage gaps, identify regressions, and provide engineering leadership with real-time insight into system quality and reliability.
Partner with architecture and platform teams to influence the testability of next-generation systems early in the design cycle, ensuring quality is built in from the ground up rather than validated after the fact.
Contribute to the definition of engineering standards, best practices, and testing methodologies across the Private Cloud Compute organization.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers across the test and quality engineering discipline.

10 or more years of experience as a Software Development Engineer in Test or Software Quality Engineer with a track record of owning critical initiatives in complex distributed systems environments.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Scripting and programming proficiency in one or more of the following: C/C++, Golang, Python, or Shell, with the ability to write production quality code and tooling.
Deep expertise in test automation, CI/CD pipeline architecture, and continuous validation in cloud or distributed systems environments.
Strong understanding of microservice topologies, distributed system design patterns, and cloud or edge deployment architectures.
Hands-on experience with cloud orchestration engines such as Kubernetes, Nomad, Apache Mesos, or equivalent platforms.
Demonstrated ability to triage and drive resolution of complex, cross-functional system failures with a structured, data-driven approach.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to operate effectively in a highly cross-functional environment across hardware, software, and platform teams.
A genuine passion for software architecture, high performance systems, and building extensible, maintainable automation infrastructure.

Experience validating ML or LLM workloads running on hardware accelerators such as GPUs, NPUs, or Apple Silicon in a cloud or datacenter environment.
Familiarity with Apple development tools, Swift, or Objective-C.
Experience building test infrastructure for systems at the hardware-software boundary, including firmware, drivers, or low-level platform software.
Knowledge of energy efficiency and performance profiling techniques for high performance computing workloads.
Experience contributing to or defining test strategy at an organizational level, not just within a single team or product area.
Prior experience working in a private cloud, hyperscale datacenter, or edge compute environment.

Apple Service Engineering is seeking an exceptional Senior Software Engineer in Test to take on a high visibility, high impact role at the center of our next-generation datacenter and Private Cloud Compute initiatives. This is a role for a senior engineer who wants to define how world-class distributed systems are tested, validated, and scaled at one of the most ambitious infrastructure efforts in the industry.

You will be a technical leader and key contributor to the foundation of Apple's future cloud architecture, working directly with the systems that power Apple Intelligence and Private Cloud Compute. You will drive critical testing and validation initiatives across highly performant, energy efficient platforms built on Apple Silicon, and will play a central role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and scalability of next-generation datacenter technology that reaches hundreds of millions of people.

In this highly collaborative and cross-functional role, you will partner with architecture teams, SOC architects, platform engineers, and software teams across Apple to adapt, validate, and scale software on novel compute platforms. If you are a senior engineer who thrives on solving hard problems, owning critical initiatives end-to-end, and building systems that have never been built before, this is the role for you.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $201,300 and $302,200, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.