Wireless RF OTA Cellular Validation Engineer

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 181,100 - 318,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Discounted products and free services

Job summary

Apple Inc. is looking for a Wireless RF OTA Cellular Validation Engineer in Cupertino, California. This role involves validating wireless performance and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with certification standards.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in RF technologies, solid understanding of wireless performance validation, and the ability to translate complex requirements into effective testing strategies. Apple offers a competitive salary range between $181,100 and $318,400 based on skills and experience.

Additionally, employees enjoy benefits like medical coverage, retirement plans, and educational reimbursement opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience is required.
• Hands-on experience with Over-the-Air performance validation.
• Solid understanding of RF component characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Drive wireless performance validation across certification test setups.
• Translate industry requirements into actionable test cases.
• Plan and execute final certification testing at third-party labs.

Skills

Antenna design and testing

Hands-on RF test experience

Understanding of LTE, NR FR1, NR FR2

Debugging RF and wireless performance

Communication skills

Education

BS degree

MSEE degree

Tools

RF test equipment

Anechoic chambers

Radio Communication tester (CMX/UXM/MT8000A)

Job description

Wireless RF OTA Cellular Validation Engineer

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? Do you like changing the game? 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. Apple’s Wireless System Engineering team is looking for an engineer to work on radiated system characterization/algorithm validation across different cellular technologies for Apple’s wireless products and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.

Description

You will be part of a cross‑functional team responsible for validating and certifying wireless performance across Apple's product portfolio. Working hands‑on at the intersection of hardware, software, and regulatory compliance, you will translate carrier and industry requirements into test cases, execute OTA validation plans, support certification testing at third‑party labs, and debug wireless performance issues alongside antenna, RF hardware, Chipset design, Product design, Field, and software engineering teams — building deep expertise across wireless technologies and RF systems alongside some of the best engineers in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Drive wireless performance validation across carrier and industry certification test setups, including final certification at third‑party labs (CTIA, 3GPP, ETSI, NAL, PTCRB), ensuring Apple products meet the highest conformance standards.
• Translate carrier, regulatory, and industry requirements into actionable test cases, ensuring product validation covers all certification, performance, and compliance criteria.
• Define and execute validation plans for custom software features.
• Debug marginal and failure tests with cross‑functional teams — RFHW, Antenna, System, Field, Product Design, and others — and drive design changes to address issues.
• Own and continuously improve test setups, ensuring lab environments are calibrated, reliable, and ready for next‑generation product testing.
• Plan and execute final certification testing at third‑party test labs for PTCRB, CTIA, and 3GPP testing.
• Contribute to evolving Apple's wireless characterization methodologies as new cellular technologies emerge.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree with 10+ years relevant experience.
• Hands‑on working experience with antenna design and testing, anechoic chambers, RF test equipment, and Radio Communication tester (CMX/UXM/MT8000A).
• Solid understanding of RF component characteristics and behavior.
• Solid understanding of LTE, NR FR1, NR FR2.
• Hands‑on working experience related to Over‑the‑Air performance validation such as TRP/TIS on handheld or tablet devices with different wireless communication systems such as LTE, NR FR1, NR FR2.
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment from industry‑leading vendors (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz).
• Familiarity with OTA test standards and methodologies (e.g., CTIA, 3GPP).

Preferred Qualifications

• MSEE degree with 10+ years relevant experience.
• Understanding of PHY Layer and MAC/application layer protocols.
• Exposure to AI tools and workflows (e.g., LLMs, AI coding assistants, automation platforms) to boost productivity and engineering efficiency.
• Experience driving certification programs at third‑party labs (PTCRB, CTIA, CWG).
• Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to multitask across various disciplines.
• Analytical curiosity and a structured approach to diagnosing complex RF and wireless performance issues.
• Excellent communication skills required, both written and verbal.

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 $181,100 and $318,400, 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.