RFIC Validation and Characterization Engineer

Summary

The wireless RFIC team architects, designs, and validates radio transceivers integrated into complex wireless SoCs. Our transceivers have powered wireless connectivity solutions for Apple wearable products, enabling the smallest form factor at the lowest power envelope. You will have the opportunity to do innovative development in transceiver design while working closely with systems and product teams at Apple. In this role, you will be part of an RFIC design team and perform test, debug and measurement for RF SOC IP. Would you like to join us and become part of this dynamic team?

About the role

• In this role, you will be a key member of our team, delivering end-to-end RF integration solutions for our advanced Wireless SoC products.
• You will enable the entire product lifecycle from pre-silicon emulation and design development through to mass production.
• You will be responsible for the critical first bring-up of our Wireless SoC-RF, conducting final silicon validation, and ensuring compliance with rigorous standards.
• This is a unique opportunity to deepen your technical expertise across both hardware and software domains, including wireless transceiver architecture, RF systems, DSP, embedded systems, and the full productization process of world-class products.
• Your work will involve hands-on bench testing, debugging, and system characterization to ensure our RF IPs meet and exceed performance targets.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on bench testing, characterization, and debugging of RF SoC IP including transmitters, receivers, PLLs, power amplifiers, and ADCs/DACs.
• Drive the bring-up and functional validation of new wireless SoCs, from first silicon to final product.
• Design and develop Radio calibrations, including algorithm creation and optimization.
• Automate RF measurements and data analysis by writing robust scripts (e.g., Python) to control test equipment and the device under test (DUT).
• Characterize and optimize key RF performance metrics such as EVM, spectral mask, phase noise, sensitivity, IP3, NF, and ACPR.
• Debug complex chip-level and board-level issues, including desense and EMI problems.
• Collaborate with RF Systems, Design, and Integration teams on board layout, test methodology, and calibration programming.
• Generate comprehensive RF design verification, characterization, and test reports.
• Develop and support RF calibration and test routines for ATE mass production environments.
• Design external matching networks to optimize transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) radio performance.

Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree

• Proven experience in RF test development, hands-on debug, performance characterization, and reporting.
• Good scripting and automation skills in Python (highly desired), Perl, TCL, C++, or similar languages.
• Hands-on experience with standard RF test equipment, including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, and signal generators.
• Good understanding of RF fundamentals, wireless transceiver architectures, and digital communication systems.
• Good knowledge of RF, PLL, and wireless system measurements (e.g., IP3, NF, ACPR, phase noise, lock time).
• Experience with RF PCB board design, layout considerations, and debugging.
• Familiarity with RFIC block-level schematics and design/simulation environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS and relevant industry experience.
• Strong RF background and familiarity with RF systems fundamentals.
• Some experience in RF PCB board design, debugging, and development.
• Exposure to RFIC design and simulation/verification.
• Exposure to SOC design and simulation/verification.