RFIC - PLL Design Engineer

Apple Inc.; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 308,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive Apple benefits

Employee stock programs

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Sr. RFIC - PLL Design Engineer to join its wireless silicon team in Waltham. You will design and verify analog/digital PLLs and LOGEN blocks for high-performance wireless SoCs and drive them from concept to tape-out.

You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, perform silicon characterization, and contribute to design-for-test methodologies. The role offers a competitive base pay and comprehensive Apple benefits, relocation assistance, and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent required.
• 10+ years of relevant industry experience in RFIC/PLL design.
• Experience designing PLL building blocks: VCO, DCO, PFD, filters, and sigma-delta modulators.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop analog and digital PLL building blocks (VCO, DCO, MMD, PFD, filters).
• Design PLL top levels and LOGEN blocks and top level integration.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define radio features and specifications.

Skills

PLL Design

LOGEN design

VCO/DCO blocks

RF/mixed-signal design

SystemVerilog AMS

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cadence Virtuoso

Spectre RF

Matlab

EM simulation (HFSS/EMX)

Job description

Would you like to join Apple’s growing wireless silicon development team? The wireless RFIC team architects, designs, and validates radio transceivers integrated into complex wireless SoCs. Our wireless organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development that transform the user experience at the product level, all of which is driven by a best-in-class vertically integrated engineering team spanning RF/Analog architecture and design, Systems/PHY/MAC architecture and design, VLSI/RTL design and integration, Emulation, Design Verification, Test and Validation, and FW/SW engineering. As Sr. RFIC - PLL Design Engineer within the Wireless Radio team, you will be at the center of a wireless SoC design group with a critical impact on getting Apple’s state-of-the‑art wireless connectivity solutions into hundreds of millions of products.

Description

As a RFIC-PLL Designer, you are going to contribute to providing analog and digital PLL solutions for wireless SoC and driving them to mass production for Apple’s Wireless Connectivity products.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop analog and digital PLL building blocks: VCO, DCO, MMD, PFD, Filter, TDC and so on.
• Design and develop analog and digital PLL top levels.
• Design and develop LOGEN building blocks and top level.
• Work with cross‑functional teams including platform architecture, wireless design, RF HW and SW to define radio features enabling wireless innovation.
• Work closely with RF Systems in block level and top‑level specifications of the PLL, LOGEN, as well as TX and RX line ups, and proper distribution of spec margins in the chain.
• Contribute to feasibility studies and trade‑off analysis
• Contribute to design starting from concept, architecture and topology to actual transistor‑level design and verification
• Work through Co‑Existence scenarios and design to meet requirements.
• Oversee layout, floor planning and verification of the design toward a successful tape‑out.
• Collaborate closely with RFIC test engineers in the bring up, debug and optimization of the chip throughout the productization.
• Provide design versus silicon measurements correlation, and compliance with specification for a volume production.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS and 10 + years of relevant industry experience.
• Experienced in design and development of Analog and Digital PLLs and LOGEN for high performance applications.
• Hands on experience in designing PLL building blocks: TDC, Digital Filters, Sigma Delta Modulators, Pre‑scalers, MMD, DCO/VCOs and PFD/CP.
• Deep understanding of analog, mixed‑signal and RF circuit design concepts. This includes LNAs, PAs, mixers, baseband filters, VGAs and calibration methods associated with high performance wireless systems.
• Experienced in Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre RF, Matlab, EM simulation (EMX, HFSS) and similar tools.
• Familiarity with mixed‑signal mode verification methodology (SystemVerilog, AMS).
• Extensive experience in PLL and LOGEN silicon characterization and debug.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands on experience in modeling, analysis and design of noise/spur cancellation techniques in PLLs.
• Familiarity with various RF transceiver architectures and their trade‑offs, system specifications and ability to work with system architects to translate system requirements into circuit requirements at IC level.
• Familiarity with timing analysis tools (Nanotime, Primetime).
• Direct experience in designing and bringing into mass production of wireless transceivers in deep sub‑micron RFCMOS technology.
• Demonstrated capability to work with digital design group for an optimum partition between digital and analog and contribute to providing comprehensive timing requirements.

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 $175,000 and $308,500, 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.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.