RFIC Characterization and Validation Lead

Apple • San Diego, CA

16h

About The Position

The RFIC Characterization and Validation Lead leads the RFIC validation and characterization team responsible for radio transceivers integrated into Apple wireless SoCs. The role sets validation strategy and plans, guides engineers through bring-up, characterization, and calibration development, and serves as the technical owner of RF silicon readiness.

The position delivers end-to-end RF integration solutions across the product lifecycle, from pre-silicon emulation and design development through mass production. Responsibilities include first RF bring-up in wireless SoCs, final silicon validation, compliance with applicable standards, and ownership of validation methodology and schedules across pre-silicon validation, first silicon, characterization, and production-test handoff. The lead reports status and risks to design, systems, integration, and program management teams, while remaining hands-on with lab testing, debugging, system characterization, and test code to ensure RF IP meets performance targets.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree and at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.
• Significant experience in RF test development, hands-on debugging, performance characterization, and reporting, including ownership of a validation effort through at least one silicon bring-up.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, such as leading a project or small team, mentoring engineers, and driving cross-functional work to completion.
• Strong scripting and automation skills in Python (highly desired), Perl, TCL, C++, or similar languages.
• Hands-on experience with standard RF test equipment, including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, and signal generators.
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, wireless transceiver architectures, and digital communication systems.
• Strong knowledge of RF, PLL, and wireless system measurements, such as IP3, NF, ACPR, phase noise, and lock time.
• Experience with RF PCB design, layout, and debugging.
• Familiarity with RFIC block-level schematics and design/simulation environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including reporting to senior management.

Nice To Haves

• Master's or PhD degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• Prior people-management or large-scale project-management experience demonstrating strong leadership.
• Strong RF background and a solid understanding of RF systems fundamentals.
• Experience with wireless standards such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread/802.15.4, and their compliance measurements.
• Exposure to RFIC design and simulation/verification, including pre-silicon validation of RF and digital interfaces.
• Exposure to SoC design and simulation/verification.
• Experience developing production calibration and ATE test flows and handing them over to manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the RFIC validation and characterization team.
• Set validation strategy and plans, and guide engineers through bring-up, characterization, and calibration development.
• Serve as the technical owner of RF silicon readiness for wireless SoCs.
• Deliver end-to-end RF integration solutions across the product lifecycle, from pre-silicon emulation and design development through mass production.
• Own first RF bring-up in wireless SoCs, final silicon validation, and compliance with rigorous standards.
• Own validation methodology and schedule across pre-silicon emulation and simulation-based validation, first silicon, characterization, and handoff to production test.
• Report status and risks to design, systems, integration, and program management.
• Conduct hands-on bench testing, debugging, and system characterization.
• Develop and work with test code to ensure RF IP meets and exceeds performance targets.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior