Wireless RF OTA Connectivity Validation Engineer

Apple • Cupertino, CA

1d

About The Position

Apple’s Wireless System and Compliance Engineering team is seeking an engineer to characterize radiated systems and analyze performance across wireless connectivity technologies, including WLAN, Bluetooth, UWB, and GNSS. The role contributes to validating and certifying wireless performance across Apple products, working across hardware, software, and regulatory compliance. The engineer will translate carrier and industry requirements into test cases, execute over-the-air (OTA) validation plans, support third-party certification testing, and debug wireless performance issues with cross-functional engineering teams. The role also involves improving wireless characterization methodologies as new connectivity technologies emerge.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Hands-on working experience with antenna design and testing, anechoic chambers, and RF test equipment.
• Solid understanding of RF component characteristics and behavior.
• Solid understanding of at least one wireless technology: IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, GNSS, LTE, GSM, UMTS, or CDMA.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask across disciplines.
• Analytical curiosity and a structured approach to diagnosing complex RF and wireless performance issues.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE).
• Understanding of PHY-layer and MAC/application-layer protocols.
• Proficiency in MATLAB simulations.
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment from industry-leading vendors, such as Keysight and Rohde & Schwarz.
• Familiarity with OTA test standards and methodologies, such as CTIA and 3GPP.
• Exposure to AI tools and workflows, such as LLMs, AI coding assistants, and automation platforms, to improve productivity and engineering efficiency.
• Experience driving certification programs at third-party labs, including PTCRB, CTIA, and CWG.

Responsibilities

• Drive wireless performance validation using carrier and industry certification test setups, ensuring products meet conformance standards.
• Translate carrier, regulatory, and industry requirements into actionable test cases covering certification, performance, and compliance criteria.
• Define and execute validation plans for custom software features.
• Debug marginal and failed tests with RF hardware, antenna, product design, electrical engineering, and other cross-functional teams, and drive design changes to address issues.
• Own and continuously improve test setups, keeping laboratory environments calibrated, reliable, and ready for next-generation product testing.
• Plan and execute final certification testing at third-party laboratories for PTCRB, CTIA, and CWG.
• Contribute to the evolution of wireless characterization methodologies as new connectivity technologies emerge.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time