Software Development Engineer in Test, Sensing & Connectivity

Apple • Cupertino, CA

12d

About The Position

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, we believe new insights have a way of becoming excellent products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there’s no telling what you could accomplish. The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. Our Sensing and Connectivity team is seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test to validate and advance the next generation of location algorithms powering every Apple product. Our proprietary positioning stack fuses GNSS, Cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals to deliver the location experience behind Maps Navigation, Fitness applications, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and more. As a Location Test Engineer focused on Algorithm Validation, you will directly measure, characterize, and improve the accuracy, reliability, and performance of these algorithms — ensuring hundreds of millions of users can trust the blue dot. The Software Location QE team operates at the intersection of algorithm development and quality engineering. We design experiments, build analysis pipelines, and run validation campaigns that prove (or disprove) that location algorithms meet Apple's rigorous standards across real-world and simulated environments. We're looking for an engineer with a deep understanding of GNSS positioning algorithms and statistical validation methods to strengthen the reliability and robustness of our proprietary location system. You will define what "correct" looks like for positioning accuracy, evaluate algorithm changes against ground-truth data, and drive continuous improvement through data-driven insights.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of experience in GNSS algorithm testing, positioning validation, or wireless system verification
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis, scripting, and automation
• Experience with GNSS simulation equipment (Spirent, LabSat) and RF record-and-playback systems for repeatable algorithm validation
• Solid understanding of positioning accuracy metrics and statistical methods for evaluating algorithm performance
• Familiarity with QA methodologies and test automation strategy

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the chipset validation lifecycle , from silicon bring-up through production-level algorithm tuning
• Understanding of A-GNSS protocols, multi-constellation processing (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BDS), and sensor-fusion architectures
• Experience with genAI in applications to anomaly detection, test-case generation, or automated log analysis
• Ability to read and interpret 3GPP location-service specifications (LPP, SUPL) and translate logs to verify misses against conformance requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting algorithm validation results to cross-functional audiences
• Prior experience in fast-paced, agile environment with the flexibility to pivot quickly to support evolving product requirements

Responsibilities

• Design experiments
• Build analysis pipelines
• Run validation campaigns that prove (or disprove) that location algorithms meet Apple's rigorous standards across real-world and simulated environments
• Measure, characterize, and improve the accuracy, reliability, and performance of location algorithms
• Define what "correct" looks like for positioning accuracy
• Evaluate algorithm changes against ground-truth data
• Drive continuous improvement through data-driven insights

What This Job Offers

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