Digital Hardware Engineer

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

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a digital hardware design engineer to join the Wireless Hardware group in Sunnyvale.

You will work with hardware and silicon teams to bring up and validate new digital interfaces, design and execute system-level test plans for silicon in next-gen Apple products, and partner with vendors to resolve silicon design issues during development. The role involves multi-functional collaboration, international travel up to 10%, and hands-on debugging with lab equipment.

Qualifications

• BS and at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong SoC/PMU design and micro-architecture knowledge with silicon bring-up or post-silicon validation.
• Experience with high-speed memory systems and digital interfaces (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 with modern lab equipment, PCIe PHY validation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive volume stress testing and system-level validation of wireless chipsets using production firmware across multiple hardware configurations.
• Debug and root-cause hardware and silicon failures on complex wireless silicon platforms.
• Capture and analyze analog and digital signals to isolate failures at board, package, and silicon levels.
• Collaborate with firmware, software, and design teams to triage issues and drive corrective actions to resolution.

Skills

SoC design

Hardware debug

Cross-functional work

Lab equipment

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

BS in Computer Engineering

Tools

PCIe PHY tools

DSOs

Logic analyzers

PCIe validation tools

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

• BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
• 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 4 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 $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.