Data Center Hardware Engineering Hardware Technician

At Apple we push the boundaries of whats 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 Apples services and products at scale. From custom silicon to full-system integration our work ensures that Apples 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.

Were 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. Youll also use oscilloscopes logic analyzers DMMs and power supplies to verify rework take measurements and help engineers track down problems during addition youll 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 -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 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 -up u0026 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 analysis: Help engineers find the root cause of failed units through structured isolation component removal and fixtures u0026 prototype support: Build and modify test fixtures cables and support hardware including basic mechanical changes and help assemble prototype automation support: Help engineers set up and run automated test systems collect data and summarize the 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 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 operations: Keep rework and test stations organized calibrated and stocked with solder flux wick components and probing accessories. Track equipment maintenance and u0026 safety: Follow and enforce EHu0026S compliance and lab SOPs including ESD control and safe handling of chemicals and hot 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 Ru0026D lab hardware development or production-support settingnProven 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 modificationsnExpert operation of rework equipment: soldering irons hot air preheaters and hot plates and BGA rework stationsnSkilled 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 reviewnAble to read schematics and PCB layouts and find components and test points on dense boardsnStrong written and verbal communication skills including managing engineer expectations explaining technical tradeoffs and documenting work clearlynStrong 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)nExperience reworking large server or high-layer-count (16 layer) boards including BGA reballing and thermal profilingnExperience operating and interpreting 2D/3D X-ray inspection for BGA/LGA voiding and assembly defectsnExperience with automated or semi-automated BGA rework systems (e.g. Ersa HR550 or similar)nIPC-7711/7721 IPC J-STD-001 and/or IPC-A-610 certificationn(Measurement debug u0026 failure analysis)nExperience debugging failed units and performing structured failure analysisnExperience with active differential and current probes and with protocol decode (I2C/SMBus SPI UART)nExperience 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 limitsnFamiliarity with power sequencing and VRM behavior on multi-rail compute platformsnExperience with high-current test setups electronic loads and other benchtop instrumentsn(Test automation u0026 fixtures)nExperience developing or supporting automated test systems including script setup data collection and test reportsnFamiliarity with scripting (Python Bash LabVIEW or similar) for instrument control or data capturenExperience building test fixtures and support hardware including basic mechanical modificationsn(General)nExperience with high-performance compute hardware or custom server platformsnAble to navigate ECAD viewers (Allegro or ODB viewers) to examine board design filesnAble to lift and configure server components up to 50 lbsnAssociate or Bachelors degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering technical certificate in electronics or equivalent military or industry trainingn5 years of experience in high-precision manual assembly and rework of electronic circuit boards in an Ru0026D lab hardware development or production-support setting