Digital Hardware Engineer

Apple Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 129,300 - 225,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical & dental coverage

Employee stock programs

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Digital Hardware Design Engineer in the Wireless Hardware group to advance wireless connectivity in upcoming Apple products.

You’ll design, implement, and verify system-on-chip components and platform architecture, collaborating with silicon, firmware, software and design teams. You will perform silicon bring-up, characterize performance and power, and develop test plans with external vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Strong SoC/PMU design & micro-architecture knowledge.
• Experience with high-speed memory interfaces (PCIe, DDR, USB, SPI, I2C).
• Familiar with schematics and PCB layouts.
• HW/SW co-debug on multi-processor embedded systems.
• Hands-on debugging with lab equipment; PCIe PHY experience is nice.

Responsibilities

• Drive volume stress testing and system-level validation of wireless chipsets across configurations.
• Debug and root‑cause hardware and silicon failures on multi-core platforms.
• Capture and analyze analog and digital signals with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to isolate failures.
• Collaborate with firmware, software, and design teams to triage issues and drive fixes.

Skills

SoC/PMU design

Micro-architecture

silicon bring-up

PCIe

I2C

SPI

USB

DDR

Hardware debugging

Python scripting

Multi-processor systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Protocol analyzers

Lab equipment

Job description

Do you have a passion for taking on big challenges? Do you love pushing the limits of what’s considered feasible? As part of our Wireless Hardware group, you’ll be responsible for bringing groundbreaking wireless connectivity to the world. On this team, we help improve the performance of our products through innovative system‑on‑chip designs. Our team will build platform architecture that paves the way for all‑new experiences, including the ones that allow people to take advantage of our innovations in sensor technology. Together, our goal is to ensure nothing stands in the way of our customers’ connections with their devices. Be a part of a world class wireless hardware team responsible for the design, implementation, and verification of the baseband systems for all mobile Apple products. The applicant should be familiar with computer system architecture and digital design. The candidate will work proactively and cooperatively with other cross‑functional engineering groups.

Description

The digital hardware design engineer will closely work with internal hardware and silicon teams to bring‑up, characterize (performance/power) and validate new digital interfaces + protocols. The digital hardware designer will be designing, executing and debugging system‑level test plans for new silicon implemented in next generation Apple products. You will work multi‑functionally and with external vendors to discover root cause silicon design issues found during development prototype builds. You will also work with external chipset vendors to develop successful integration and verification plans. Position may require some international travel (10%).

Responsibilities

• Drive volume stress testing and system‑level validation of wireless chipsets (internal and vendor‑supplied) using production firmware across multiple hardware configurations
• Debug and root‑cause hardware and silicon failures on complex wireless silicon platforms involving multi‑core CPUs, firmware, and inter‑processor communication
• Capture and analyze analog and digital signals using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to isolate failures at the board, package, and silicon level
• Collaborate with firmware, software, and design teams to triage issues, reproduce field failures, and drive corrective actions through to resolution

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree
• Solid understanding of SoC/PMU design and micro‑architecture, with hands‑on experience in silicon bring‑up or post‑silicon validation
• Experience with high‑speed memory systems and digital communication interfaces (e.g., PCIe, RFFE, SPMI, DDR, USB, SPI, I2C)
• Familiarity with interpreting and navigating complex schematics and PCB layouts
• Working knowledge of hardware/software co‑debug methodologies on multi‑processor embedded systems
• Hands‑on hardware debugging expertise, including the use of modern lab equipment (DSOs, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers), with prior experience in PCIe PHY validation being highly advantageous

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering with at least 2 years of relevant industry experience
• Proficiency in developing targeted tests to exercise specific aspects of silicon designs and digital interfaces
• Good understanding of modern operating systems, firmware, and device drivers, with the ability to create basic software routines and test scripts (e.g., Lua, Python, C)
• Experience with volume stress testing, reliability screening, or production‑level validation of wireless or cellular modem chipsets
• Strong communication skills coupled with a proactive attitude for effectively presenting technical findings and driving hardware issues to closure in a cross‑functional team environment

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 $129,300 and $225,300, 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.