6G Cellular Modem Systems Engineer

Apple Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Cellular Modem Systems Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA to own end-to-end modem system design from feature set to silicon bring-up. You will collaborate with SoC, PHY, and L1 SW teams to meet end-to-end requirements and drive 6G innovations.

You will analyze trade-offs, develop algorithms for PHY/L1, and optimize performance and power for real-world deployments across Apple products. Strong background in 3GPP standards is essential.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or related field, with 10+ years of experience.
• Strong knowledge of cellular standards: 6G (emerging), 5G NR, 4G LTE, especially RAN1 3GPP.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python for algorithm development and simulations.
• Experience using Generative AI and LLM tools to speed up engineering workflows.

Responsibilities

• Define & architect system-level features and requirements for next-generation cellular modems, focusing on 6G evolution and advanced PHY/L1 capabilities.
• Own the E2E system view — connect 3GPP requirements, algorithm trade-offs, HW/FW constraints, and product targets.
• Design algorithms for the physical layer, across layers and L1/RF control to optimize performance and power.
• Model & simulate algorithms in floating-point and fixed-point using MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python; validate via link-level simulations or data from deployments.
• Optimize user experience by driving performance and power efficiency across the wireless stack with real-world deployment insights.

Skills

MATLAB

C/C++

Python

Generative AI/LLM tooling

6G/5G NR/4G LTE (RAN1) knowledge

System-level design

End-to-end wireless systems

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or related field

Job description

At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences — fast. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, sensible people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product.We're looking for a Cellular Modem Systems Engineer to join our cellular systems engineering team as we define and build the next generation of cellular technology. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of wireless communication at a company that ships at global scale as we transition towards 6G. In this role, you'll bring an end-to-end view of wireless systems — spanning 3GPP standards, feature definition and planning, design, hardware and software architecture and partitioning — to deliver leading-edge performance and power optimizations and features that directly improve the user experience across Apple products. If you thrive at the intersection of deep technical theory and hands‑on bring‑up — and you're excited about pushing beyond 5G into the 6G era — we want to hear from you.

Description

As a Cellular Systems Engineer, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of cellular modem systems — from feature set and capability definition that improve cellular user experience of our products to concept work, algorithm design through silicon bring-up and productization. In this role you are expected to Collaborate cross-functionally with eco-system teams, SoC, PHY, PHY HW, PHY FW, and L1 SW teams to ensure end-to-end system requirements are met across the full stack.

Responsibilities

• Define & architect system-level features and requirements for next-generation cellular modems, with a focus on 6G evolution and advanced PHY/L1 capabilities.
• Own the E2E system view — connect 3GPP standard requirements, algorithm design trade-offs, HW/FW architecture constraints, and product-level targets into cohesive, leading-edge solutions.
• Design algorithms for the physical layer, across layers and L1/RF control to optimize performance/power.
• Model & simulate algorithms in floating-point and fixed-point using MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python, and validate, through link-level simulation or correlating with data collected from field and real deployments.
• Optimize for user experience by driving performance and power efficiency improvements across the wireless stack — translating system-level insights into tangible gains in throughput, latency, battery life, and connectivity reliability based on real world deployments

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of cellular communication standards and associated feature sets: 6G (emerging), 5G NR, 4G LTE — particularly RAN1 3GPP.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python for algorithm development, fixed/floating-point modeling, and link-level simulation.
• Experience leveraging Generative AI and LLM-based tools to accelerate engineering workflows — e.g., algorithm prototyping, code generation, simulation analysis, or technical documentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Layer-1/2 control design of cellular systems.
• Experience in low-power algorithm design for power-constrained mobile platforms.
• Experience in end-to-end timeline analysis for latency-critical PHY processing chains.
• Strong mathematical foundations: linear algebra, stochastic processes, detection & estimation theory.
• Familiarity with 3GPP standardization processes, RAN2, RAN4 topics and emerging 6G study items (e.g., AI/ML for air interface, joint communication and sensing, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces).
• Track record of published research or patents in wireless communications is a plus.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong. Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace. Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.