RF Systems Validation and Integration Lead (m/f/d)

Apple

About The Position

Apple is seeking an experienced RF engineer with strong programming skills to expand its RF systems validation capabilities for future products. The team validates the RF performance of cellular transceivers and surrounding RF subsystems that enable cellular connectivity while minimizing battery drain. As the RF Systems Validation and Integration Lead, you will be the primary Directly Responsible Interface (DRI) between projects and the RF Systems Validation and Integration organization. You will have end-to-end technical understanding of RF subsystem architecture and technologies, from the baseband interface to the antenna, and act as the technical authority for the FR1 RF subsystem and its integration into the end product. You will represent the RF organization in technical forums and program reviews, own critical technical issues, lead cross-functional investigations, and communicate progress and status to senior executive management. The role also involves translating requirements across multiple projects into structured work packages, planning execution across functional teams, managing incoming deliverables and dependencies, identifying systemic technical or process issues, and coordinating validation and integration readiness with product factory teams and on-site engineering operations.

Requirements

In-depth knowledge of RF fundamentals and advanced RF measurement techniques.
Solid knowledge of cellular standards and multiple modulation schemes.
Strong working knowledge of 3GPP cellular standards, particularly RF performance and compliance requirements.
Proven ability to work with complex systems and dependencies across hardware, firmware, system configuration, and software algorithms.
A proven leadership track record in high-tech domains working with distributed, international teams, such as as a Technical Lead or System Architect.
Extensive hands-on system validation experience, ideally in RF, including driving large-scale test campaigns and analyzing large datasets.
Experience applying AI/ML methodologies and techniques to technical or organizational challenges.
Ability to collaborate technically with on-site and global RF Design, Firmware, Systems, Product, and Factory/Operations teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide structured, concise updates on complex technical topics to senior leadership.
Strong collaborative spirit, curiosity, ownership, and willingness to tackle diverse and challenging problems.
Strong programming skills, such as Python, for test framework extension, automation, or data processing.
Practical experience with modern AI/ML tools and methodologies, including prompt engineering, LLMs, agentic frameworks, MCPs, and RAG.
Solid understanding and practical experience with agile development methodologies.
MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline with an RF background, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary Directly Responsible Interface (DRI) between projects and the RF Systems Validation and Integration organization.
Act as the technical authority for the FR1 RF subsystem and its integration into the end product.
Represent the RF organization in technical forums and program reviews.
Take ownership of critical, high-visibility technical issues and drive cross-functional root-cause investigations.
Report technical progress and status clearly to senior executive management.
Translate requirements across multiple projects into structured work packages and guide execution planning across functional teams.
Identify, track, and manage incoming deliverables and dependencies to ensure they arrive on schedule and meet quality standards.
Investigate systematic technical or process flaws and drive permanent cross-functional solutions.
Partner with product factory teams and on-site engineering operations to understand factory schedules across the product portfolio and align validation and integration readiness.
Drive large-scale system validation test campaigns and extract actionable insights from datasets.
Use AI/ML approaches to address technical or organizational challenges and streamline engineering workflows.