Wireless Module Engineer

Apple•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Wireless Module Engineer is a self-driven technical lead responsible for developing wireless modules from early architecture definition through mass-production ramp. The role spans RF design, packaging, product engineering and yield analysis, automated test equipment (ATE), and reliability engineering. It supports multiple product lines within the Hardware Technology organization and requires close collaboration across internal engineering teams and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) partners. The engineer leads early RF architecture and specification discussions with internal teams and OSATs, ensures compliance with internal specifications and approval workflows, and drives formal module design releases. This includes reviewing schematics, PCB layouts, electromagnetic and RF simulation results, design-for-manufacturability, test readiness, and OSAT feedback. The engineer manages module integration and ATE test coverage at OSATs, including the maturity of test hardware and software, firmware, module calibration, GRR, and CPK/data analysis. They validate and approve ATE integration, test coverage, and test limits so tested modules are delivered on time for product NPI builds. After NPI builds, the engineer leads failure analysis with OSATs and drives improvements to testers, test time, yield, and retest rates. The role also involves international travel to OSATs for one to two weeks before NPI builds to bring up modules and ATE and troubleshoot issues, including I2C and PCIe interface problems. The engineer works with reliability teams to turn expected product field-use profiles into practical, data-driven reliability test models, communicates component risks and mitigation plans, and helps take RF modules to mass production at yields meeting Apple quality requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Strong RF fundamentals and a strong RF design background.
Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
Ability to lead projects with self-motivation.
Strong data analysis skills, including yield (Cpk) and retest-rate analysis for data sheet closures.
Ability to work at both a high-level theoretical level and in detailed hands-on execution.
Experience managing vendor teams and leading meetings across time zones.
Very good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to drive meetings toward key decisions on wireless technologies.
Ability to define engineering methods for custom wireless module and component development during prototyping.
Experience setting up project schedules and work breakdown structures and communicating prioritized risks.
Proficiency reviewing mechanical and electrical designs for sockets, fixtures, and test systems.
Ability to travel internationally.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of wireless module development experience, from early concept to mass production for consumer electronic devices.
Experience in packaging, product engineering, ATE, and reliability engineering.
AI/ML experience with expertise in data analysis.

Responsibilities

Lead wireless module development from early architecture definition through mass-production ramp.
Initiate and lead RF architecture and specification discussions with internal engineering teams and OSATs.
Ensure OSATs follow internal specification formats, review procedures, and approval workflows.
Drive formal module design releases and review schematics, PCB layouts, electromagnetic/RF simulation results, DFM, test readiness, and OSAT design feedback.
Manage module integration and ATE test coverage at OSATs.
Oversee ATE hardware and software maturity, including load boards, daughter cards, sockets, handlers, software, firmware, module calibrations, GRR, and CPK/data analysis.
Validate and approve final ATE hardware and software integration, test coverage, and test limits to support timely delivery of tested modules for NPI builds.
Lead post-NPI failure analysis with OSATs and implement improvements to testers, software and firmware test time, yield, and retest rates.
Travel internationally to OSATs for module and ATE bring-up before product NPI builds and debug related issues.
Define test coverage, including Open-Short and Continuity, VCO calibration and test, TX/RX power calibration and test, RF packet, EVM, and RX sensitivity tests.
Collaborate with reliability engineering teams to develop feasible, data-driven reliability test models based on expected product field-use profiles.
Act as the primary technical liaison between Apple cross-functional teams and corresponding OSAT technical teams.
Communicate component risks to executive teams and coordinate OSAT schedules and risk-mitigation plans.
Take RF modules to mass production with yields that meet Apple quality requirements.