RF Hardware Engineer - Multi-Radio Coexistence

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 184,700 - 324,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Employee stock purchase plan

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Apple in Cupertino is seeking an experienced RF Hardware Engineer to advance multi‑radio coexistence across Cellular, Wi‑Fi, BT, GPS, and NFC. You will own platform‑level performance assessments and work with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust solutions.

You’ll perform hands‑on hardware experiments, analyze failures, review PCB layouts and shielding, and help shape design trade‑offs for improved coexistence performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with multiple radios (Cellular, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, NFC, UWB) and RF components.
• Familiarity with lab equipment: spectrum/network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes.

Responsibilities

• Assess and debug multi‑radio coexistence issues across Apple platforms using hands‑on hardware experiments and root‑cause investigations.
• Review and sign off on hardware designs including PCB layouts, grounding and shielding to ensure coexistence standards.
• Define and execute validation and characterization test plans, track results, and communicate results to cross‑functional teams.

Skills

RF hardware

Coexistence analysis

Measurement & test

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzer

Network Analyzer

Oscilloscope

Signal Generator

EMI/EMC testing

Job description

RF Hardware Engineer - Multi-Radio Coexistence

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

At Apple, we work every single day to craft products that enrich people’s lives. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to shape upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every day! Our RF Systems Engineering team is looking for a passionate, self‑motivated individual to work on overall system performance of multi‑radio coexistence for various wireless technologies (e.g., Cellular, Wi‑Fi, BT, GPS, NFC).

Description

You will be responsible for assessing platform‑level multi‑radio coexistence performance, including:

• Performing HW failure analysis at the RF/wireless system level to understand low margin or failing behaviors making use of hands‑on experimental modifications to hardware.
• Proposing design and process changes for multi‑radio coexistence issues considering design constraints and align with cross‑functional partners on trade‑offs and implementation path.
• Reviewing designs and sign‑off on releases of PCB layouts, flex layouts, system‑level groundings, shielding.
• Execution of validation & characterization test plans to meet multi‑radio coexistence performance targets.
• Tracking validation status, analyze results and communicate insight from data.
• Evaluating multi‑functional change requests and update characterization plans as needed, highlight any issues.
• Working with RF Test Engineers to bring‑up device‑under‑test, setups and test procedures for multi‑radio coexistence validation.
• Performing simple experiments using hardware mock‑ups, system prototypes and experimental setups.
• Collaborating with cross‑functional partners for circuit‑level, system‑level simulations to understand risk areas and root cause issues.

Responsibilities

• Assess and debug multi‑radio coexistence issues across Apple platforms by performing hands‑on hardware experiments, failure analysis, and root‑cause investigations at the RF/wireless system level.
• Review and sign off on hardware designs, including PCB layouts, flex layouts, system grounding, and shielding, ensuring multi‑radio coexistence standards are met before release.
• Define and execute validation and characterization test plans, track results, and communicate data‑driven insights to cross‑functional partners and leadership.
• Provide system‑level coexistence requirements to chipset teams, validate early EVBs, fine‑tune chipset blocking performance and optimize coexistence system mitigation technique.
• Collaborate with RF Test Engineers and cross‑functional teams to bring up devices under test and develop test procedures, mock‑ups, and experimental setups for coexistence validation.
• Evaluate system hardware change requests and update characterization plans accordingly, proactively identifying and escalating any coexistence risks or trade‑offs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with 10+ years relevant work experience.
• Experience on at least one radio of Cellular, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, Thread, NFC, and UWB.
• Knowledge of RF component characteristics and experience using lab equipment including spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, signal generator and oscilloscopes.
• Knowledge of wireless architectures including front‑end, antenna sharing, link budget line‑up.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering with 10+ years relevant work experience.
• Experience working with chipset teams to define RF/wireless system‑level requirements and influence chipset architecture or design decisions.
• Proven understanding of RF hardware and standard methodologies for system‑level grounding, shielding, isolation, and electromagnetic interference mitigation.
• Experience performing hands‑on disassembly and system level debug on module, reference board or system level.
• Experience debugging and performing optimizations at the conducted or radiated radio systems level.
• Excellent communication written and verbal skills.

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.

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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.