Data Platform SRE
π Job Overview
- Job Title: Data Platform SRE
- Company: Apple
- Location: Austin, Texas, United States
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Site Reliability Engineer
- Date Posted: June 18, 2025
- Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
π Role Summary
- Key Responsibilities: Manage infrastructure and applications to deliver data processing, governance, and storage for Apple's global products. Collaborate with partner engineering teams to ensure seamless customer experiences.
- Key Technologies: Linux, networking protocols, open-source data analytics technologies (Apache Spark, Apache HDFS, Trino), automation tools.
π» Primary Responsibilities
π Infrastructure Management
- Manage and optimize data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure for Apple's global products.
- Collaborate with partner engineering teams to ensure seamless customer experiences.
π Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with cross-functional teams to optimize platforms for performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
- Define and execute migration strategies for data analytics platforms.
π οΈ Service Deployment & Monitoring
- Deploy, support, and monitor new and existing services, platforms, and application stacks.
- Automate manual operations and improve them through repeated iteration.
π§ Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues in large-scale environments using empirical data and critical thinking.
- Balance best solutions with the need to get things done for each engineering challenge.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent with 4+ years of software development or production operations experience in a large-scale environment.
Required Skills:
- Linux Operating System, standard networking protocols, and components.
- Experience with scale testing, disaster recovery, and capacity planning.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize platforms.
- Experience deploying, supporting, and monitoring services and application stacks.
Preferred Skills:
- Subject matter expertise in leading large-scale migration and modernization initiatives in the data analytics domain.
- Working knowledge of open-source data analytics technologies (Apache Spark, Apache HDFS, Trino) in large-scale environments.
- Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
π Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate experience with large-scale data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure.
- Showcase cross-functional collaboration and optimization projects.
- Highlight service deployment, monitoring, and automation projects.
Technical Documentation:
- Provide detailed documentation of your infrastructure management, deployment, and monitoring processes.
- Include case studies demonstrating problem-solving, troubleshooting, and optimization techniques.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 - $220,000 per year (based on regional market research and experience level)
Benefits:
- Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Retirement savings plans with company matching.
- Generous time off and paid family leave.
- Employee discounts on Apple products.
- Fitness reimbursement and wellness programs.
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and work-life balance.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Technology, with a focus on consumer electronics and services.
Company Size: Large (over 100,000 employees)
Founded: 1976, with a rich history in innovation and disruption.
Team Structure:
- Data Platform SREs work within the Apple Services Engineering organization.
- Collaborate with partner engineering teams, product managers, and stakeholders.
- Work in cross-functional teams to deliver seamless customer experiences.
Development Methodology:
- Agile/Scrum methodologies with sprint planning for data platform projects.
- Code review, testing, and quality assurance practices.
- Deployment strategies, CI/CD pipelines, and server management.
Company Website: Apple
π Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level Site Reliability Engineer, with a focus on data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure.
Reporting Structure: Report directly to the Data Platform SRE management team.
Technical Impact: Influence data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure decisions, ensuring high availability and performance for Apple's global products.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical leadership roles within the Data Platform SRE team.
- Opportunities to specialize in specific data analytics technologies or domains.
- Potential to transition into management or architecture roles.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces with a focus on innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): Austin, Texas, United States, with opportunities for remote work.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative workspaces with multiple monitors and testing devices available.
- Cross-functional collaboration with developers, designers, and stakeholders.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools.
Work Schedule: Flexible hours with a focus on work-life balance, including core hours and remote work options.
π Application & Technical Interview Process
π Application Tips
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experience in large-scale data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure.
- Include specific examples of cross-functional collaboration, service deployment, and automation projects.
- Research Apple's products and services to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its needs.
π― Interview Process
- Technical Phone Screen: Discuss your experience with large-scale data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure. Solve problems related to service deployment, monitoring, and automation.
- On-site Interview: Present your portfolio, demonstrating your experience with data analytics technologies, problem-solving, and troubleshooting. Collaborate with the team on a case study or technical challenge.
π οΈ Technical Challenge Preparation
- Brush up on your knowledge of open-source data analytics technologies (Apache Spark, Apache HDFS, Trino) and their use in large-scale environments.
- Practice problem-solving and troubleshooting exercises related to data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure.
- Prepare for case studies and technical challenges that focus on service deployment, monitoring, and automation.
π οΈ ATS Keywords
- Programming Languages: Python, Bash, Java, Scala
- Web Frameworks: Not applicable for this role
- Server Technologies: Linux, Apache, Nginx
- Databases: Not applicable for this role
- Tools: Jenkins, Ansible, Terraform, Prometheus, Grafana
- Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, CI/CD
- Soft Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Problem-Solving, Troubleshooting
- Industry Terms: Site Reliability Engineering, Data Analytics, Data Processing, Data Governance, Data Storage
π οΈ Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
π» Frontend Technologies
- Not applicable for this role
π§ Backend & Server Technologies
- Linux: Ubuntu, CentOS
- Data Analytics Technologies: Apache Spark, Apache HDFS, Trino
- Infrastructure Tools: Terraform, Ansible
π οΈ Development & DevOps Tools
- Version Control: Git
- CI/CD Pipelines: Jenkins
- Monitoring Tools: Prometheus, Grafana
π₯ Team Culture & Values
π Web Development Values
- User-Centric: Focus on delivering seamless customer experiences.
- Innovation: Embrace new technologies and approaches to data processing, governance, and storage.
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize platforms and services.
- Quality: Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability for Apple's global products.
π€ Collaboration Style
- Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with partner engineering teams, product managers, and stakeholders.
- Code Review Culture: Participate in code reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Peer Programming: Collaborate with team members to solve complex problems and learn from one another.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
πͺοΈ Technical Challenges
- Large-Scale Infrastructure: Manage and optimize data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure at scale.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with diverse teams to ensure seamless customer experiences.
- Service Deployment & Monitoring: Automate deployment and monitoring processes for new and existing services.
- Problem-Solving: Troubleshoot and resolve issues in large-scale environments using empirical data and critical thinking.
π± Learning & Development Opportunities
- Technical Skill Development: Specialize in specific data analytics technologies or domains.
- Conference Attendance & Certification: Attend industry conferences and obtain relevant certifications.
- Technical Mentorship: Seek mentorship opportunities within the team or organization to develop leadership skills.
π‘ Interview Preparation
π― Technical Questions
- Data Processing & Storage: Discuss your experience with data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure in large-scale environments.
- Service Deployment & Monitoring: Explain your approach to deploying, supporting, and monitoring services and application stacks.
- Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Describe your process for troubleshooting and resolving issues in large-scale environments.
π’ Company & Culture Questions
- Apple's Products & Services: Demonstrate your understanding of Apple's products and services and how your role contributes to their success.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Explain your approach to working with cross-functional teams and ensuring seamless customer experiences.
- Company Culture: Discuss how your values and work style align with Apple's company culture and values.
π Portfolio Presentation Strategy
- Live Demonstrations: Prepare live demonstrations of your infrastructure management, deployment, and monitoring projects.
- Case Studies: Develop case studies that highlight your problem-solving, troubleshooting, and optimization techniques.
- User Experience Focus: Emphasize the user experience impact of your projects and how they contribute to seamless customer experiences.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Data Platform SRE position:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experience in large-scale data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure.
- Prepare for the technical phone screen by brushing up on your knowledge of data analytics technologies and practicing problem-solving and troubleshooting exercises.
- Research Apple's products and services to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its needs.
- Prepare for the on-site interview by developing a portfolio that showcases your experience with data processing, governance, and storage infrastructure, as well as your problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
- Prepare for case studies and technical challenges that focus on service deployment, monitoring, and automation.
- Submit your application through the Apple Jobs portal and follow the instructions provided.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and Site Reliability Engineering industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the Apple hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have a BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent with 4+ years of experience in software development or production operations. Experience with large-scale environments, cross-functional collaboration, and deploying services is essential.