H-1B Visa Backend Infrastructure Engineer Jobs
Backend Infrastructure Engineer roles sit squarely within H-1B specialty occupation territory, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Employers filing H-1B petitions for this role must certify a prevailing wage through the DOL and demonstrate the position meets specialty occupation standards. Infrastructure-focused engineers are among the most consistently sponsored H-1B candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsDo you want to make Apple products more intelligent for our users? The AIML Information Intelligence teams are building groundbreaking technology for algorithmic search and recommendation, machine learning, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence.
The features we build are redefining how hundreds of millions of people use their computers and mobile devices to search and find what they are looking for. Apple's universal search engine powers search features across a variety of its products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Music, App Store, Video, and many more.
We are searching for a Principal Backend Infrastructure Engineer to define and drive the long-term technical strategy for our scalable, highly available, and robust search platforms. Build, evolve, and scale state-of-the-art infrastructure powering Apple's Search Platforms. Be a key technical leader contributing to the design, development, and operation of large-scale distributed systems. Work with machine learning researchers, backend engineers, and cross-functional teams to deliver step-function improvements in reliability, performance, and cost.
Description
We design and build infrastructures to support features that empower billions of Apple search users. Our team processes trillions of links to find the best content to surface to users through search. We also analyze pages to extract critical features for indexing and ranking. We apply statistical analysis to improve crawling, extraction quality, web and knowledge graph data, link selection, freshness, retrieval performance, and many others. You'll have the opportunity to work with large-scale systems with trillions of rows, many petabytes of data, and real-time data pipelines with incredible complexity.
Minimum Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience leading and driving complex, ambiguous projects at company-wide scope
- Deep expertise in large-scale search and indexing systems, including hybrid lexical-semantic retrieval
- Strong background in distributed systems: highly available, low-latency, multi-region architectures
- Experience with AI and agentic systems, including knowledge platforms and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
- Strong coding skills and background in algorithms and data structures
- Experience with backend development, performance tuning, and testing
- BS, MS, or Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cloud services, Kubernetes, and cloud-native architectures
- Experience with real-time data and streaming platforms (Kafka, Flink, Pinot or equivalent)
- Experience with observability platforms including metrics, logging, and AI-assisted diagnostics
- Track record of driving reliability programs and reducing production incidents at scale
- Open-source leadership or community contributions in search, data, or infrastructure ecosystems
- Excellent interpersonal skills; able to work independently as well as influence across large organizations
Pay & Benefits
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 $212,000 and $386,300, 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.
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.
Do you want to make Apple products more intelligent for our users? The AIML Information Intelligence teams are building groundbreaking technology for algorithmic search and recommendation, machine learning, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence.
The features we build are redefining how hundreds of millions of people use their computers and mobile devices to search and find what they are looking for. Apple's universal search engine powers search features across a variety of its products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Music, App Store, Video, and many more.
We are searching for a Principal Backend Infrastructure Engineer to define and drive the long-term technical strategy for our scalable, highly available, and robust search platforms. Build, evolve, and scale state-of-the-art infrastructure powering Apple's Search Platforms. Be a key technical leader contributing to the design, development, and operation of large-scale distributed systems. Work with machine learning researchers, backend engineers, and cross-functional teams to deliver step-function improvements in reliability, performance, and cost.
Description
We design and build infrastructures to support features that empower billions of Apple search users. Our team processes trillions of links to find the best content to surface to users through search. We also analyze pages to extract critical features for indexing and ranking. We apply statistical analysis to improve crawling, extraction quality, web and knowledge graph data, link selection, freshness, retrieval performance, and many others. You'll have the opportunity to work with large-scale systems with trillions of rows, many petabytes of data, and real-time data pipelines with incredible complexity.
Minimum Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience leading and driving complex, ambiguous projects at company-wide scope
- Deep expertise in large-scale search and indexing systems, including hybrid lexical-semantic retrieval
- Strong background in distributed systems: highly available, low-latency, multi-region architectures
- Experience with AI and agentic systems, including knowledge platforms and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
- Strong coding skills and background in algorithms and data structures
- Experience with backend development, performance tuning, and testing
- BS, MS, or Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cloud services, Kubernetes, and cloud-native architectures
- Experience with real-time data and streaming platforms (Kafka, Flink, Pinot or equivalent)
- Experience with observability platforms including metrics, logging, and AI-assisted diagnostics
- Track record of driving reliability programs and reducing production incidents at scale
- Open-source leadership or community contributions in search, data, or infrastructure ecosystems
- Excellent interpersonal skills; able to work independently as well as influence across large organizations
Pay & Benefits
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 $212,000 and $386,300, 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.
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.
See all 126+ Backend Infrastructure Engineer jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Backend Infrastructure Engineer
Map your role to the right SOC code
Backend infrastructure work spans multiple DOL Standard Occupational Classification codes. Confirm your job duties align with SOC 15-1299 or 15-1244 before your employer files the LCA, since mismatches can trigger RFEs at the I-129 stage.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating salary
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for your specific SOC code and work location. Your offered salary must meet or exceed the certified wage, and this floor is non-negotiable regardless of what the employer wants to pay.
Target employers with cap-exempt filing history
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated entities are cap-exempt and can file H-1B petitions year-round. Infrastructure engineering roles at these organizations skip the annual lottery entirely, which matters if you're approaching the end of your OPT or grace period.
Filter for infrastructure-specific H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for backend and infrastructure roles. Targeting companies with a documented sponsorship record for your specific function cuts time spent on employers who sponsor selectively or only for other engineering disciplines.
Front-load the specialty occupation documentation
Backend infrastructure engineering sometimes draws RFEs because job duties can look operational rather than theoretical. Ask your employer to include an organizational chart, technical project scopes, and degree requirement evidence in the initial I-129 filing rather than waiting for USCIS to ask.
Use premium processing if your start date is fixed
USCIS premium processing guarantees a decision within 15 business days on an I-129 petition. If your employer has a hard onboarding date or your OPT cap-gap window is tight, request premium processing in the original filing rather than upgrading later, which resets the clock.
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Find Backend Infrastructure Engineer JobsBackend Infrastructure Engineer H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a backend infrastructure engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as computer science, computer engineering, or information systems. The specialty occupation test focuses on the job duties, not the job title. Roles that mix infrastructure work with general IT support may face closer scrutiny, so the employer's job description should emphasize design, architecture, and systems engineering responsibilities.
How do I find employers that actively sponsor H-1B visas for backend infrastructure engineers?
Search Migrate Mate to browse backend infrastructure engineering roles filtered by verified H-1B LCA filing history. Focusing on employers with a documented track record for this specific function reduces the risk of pursuing companies that sponsor only selectively or only for software development roles rather than infrastructure-focused positions.
What happens to my H-1B status if I switch from a product company to a cloud services company?
Changing employers requires your new employer to file an H-1B transfer petition before you start work. The SOC code, prevailing wage level, and specialty occupation classification are re-evaluated at that point. If your role shifts from pure infrastructure engineering to a broader DevOps or platform operations scope, the new LCA must reflect those duties accurately or an RFE becomes likely.
Can backend infrastructure engineers use the O*NET profile to support their H-1B petition?
Yes. The O*NET profile for related occupational codes lists typical education requirements and core tasks that USCIS adjudicators reference when evaluating specialty occupation. Your employer's attorney can cite the O*NET job zone and degree requirement data in the I-129 cover letter to establish that the position normally requires a qualifying bachelor's degree.
Does remote work affect the H-1B petition for a backend infrastructure engineering role?
Yes. H-1B status is tied to the place of employment listed on the certified LCA. If you work remotely from a different metro area than where the employer filed, a new LCA must be certified for that work location. For distributed infrastructure teams, employers often file blanket LCAs covering multiple worksites, but you should confirm this before accepting a remote arrangement in a new city.
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