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Software Engineer, Infrastructure Services (Data Plane)

Apple· Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) – Infrastructure Services
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Hybrid (San Francisco Bay Area)$150.4k - $277.6kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Role focused on designing, building, and operating high-throughput, ultra-low-latency dataplane systems and related infrastructure to support Apple’s large-scale cloud and network operations. Work involves packet processing, overlay networking, control plane integration, and delivering scalable network data plane components within Apple’s global IT/data-center environment.

Responsibilities

  • Dataplane Architecture & Development: Design, implement, and optimize high-throughput, ultra-low-latency packet processing systems, forwarding engines, and overlay network services (e.g., VXLAN, Geneve, NAT, Load Balancing).
  • System Design & High-Performance Coding: Build modular, resilient, and performant systems leveraging efficient data structures, lock-free concurrency, and hardware/software acceleration.
  • Control Plane Integration: Collaborate closely with control plane and distributed systems teams to build clean, performant APIs (gRPC, REST) for state distribution and policy enforcement.
  • Operational Excellence & Incident Triage: Maintain line-of-sight on production health; debug live incidents using packet captures, telemetry, metrics, and logs to identify root cause and implement long-term mitigations.
  • Automation & Delivery: Utilize modern CI/CD, Git workflows, and configuration management tools to reliably deliver software against bold deadlines.

Qualifications

  • Strong proficiency in systems programming languages such as C++, Go, or C (experience with Java or modern scripting languages like Python is also valued).
  • Solid foundation in Computer Science fundamentals: advanced data structures, algorithms, memory management, and concurrency.
  • Deep knowledge of Networking Fundamentals & Dataplane internals: L2–L4 protocols, TCP/IP stack behavior, packet framing/encapsulation, routing, MTU/MSS, flow tables, and QoS/traffic shaping.
  • Experience with source control (Git) and modern build/configuration management tools.
  • Experience designing and optimizing scalable network data plane components, packet forwarding paths, or kernel/userspace networking subsystems.
  • Understanding of microservice architectures, asynchronous communication, and API design (REST, gRPC, Protobuf).
  • Proven ability to analyze and debug complex live production incidents under pressure using metrics, traces, and system logs.
  • Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills with the drive to take ownership and lead projects to closure.

Skills

Required:C++GoCNetworking
Nice to have:JavaPython

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
  • Retirement benefits
  • Discounted products and free services
  • Educational reimbursement for career advancement
  • Discretionary bonuses or commissions (where eligible)
  • Relocation assistance (where applicable)
  • Employee stock programs (discretionary RSUs and Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
Last updated Sep 11, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Apple

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support.

AirPods Max 2Apple ArcadeApple CardApple Fitness+Apple MusicApple TVApple TV+Apple Watch Series 11
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