Wireless PHY Systems Engineer
26 days ago San Diego, CA
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Apple's Wireless SoC team is seeking an exceptional Wireless PHY Systems Engineer to help define the future of wireless technology in Apple products. Our team sits at the forefront of modem architecture, physical-layer algorithm research, and embedded DSP innovation - delivering the wireless capabilities that make AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhone, and other Apple products extraordinary.
In this role, you will drive end-to-end simulation and algorithm development for complex wireless systems, spanning Bluetooth and UWB protocol stacks, propagation channel modeling, RF/antenna behavior and PHY & MAC protocols. You will bring deep technical expertise, scientific rigor, and a forward-looking perspective - including the application of AI/ML methods - to solve some of the hardest wireless systems challenges in the industry.
This role is ideal for those who thrive at the boundary of theory and silicon, and who wants their work to reach hundreds of millions of people through world-class consumer products.
Description
As a Wireless PHY Systems Engineer, you will lead the research, modeling, and simulation of sophisticated wireless systems across the full signal chain. You will work at the intersection of algorithm invention, system-level analysis, and hardware realization - collaborating with PHY/algorithm engineers, analog and digital designers, and firmware/software teams to develop physical-layer features for next-generation SoC designs.
You will apply AI/ML-driven approaches alongside classical signal processing methods to push the boundaries of simulation fidelity, algorithm performance, and system understanding. Your work will directly influence chip architecture decisions and the wireless capabilities of future Apple products.","responsibilities":"Lead the invention, derivation, and evaluation of advanced physical-layer algorithms and DSP techniques for Bluetooth, UWB, and emerging wireless protocols.
Architect and develop end-to-end simulation frameworks covering propagation channel models, RF/antenna abstractions and PHY/MAC protocol stacks.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to model, analyze, and visualize system performance across the full signal chain.
Process and analyze large volumes of field and simulation data; develop insightful, user-friendly visualizations of complex results including measurement accuracies, system latencies, and protocol performance metrics.
Drive fixed-point design and RTL vector generation to translate algorithm research into hardware-ready implementations, leverage HLS tools where applicable.
Lead or support lab bring-up and validation activities, including FPGA/silicon testing, PHY/RF/MAC debugging, calibration procedures, and advanced lab equipment operation.
Represent the team in technical discussions with cross-functional partners and, where applicable, in external standards bodies or industry consortia.
Utilize AI/ML techniques across all aspects of the role - including algorithm design and optimization, simulation framework development, post-processing and analysis of large-scale field and simulation datasets, RF impairment modeling, and lab-based bring-up and debugging workflows.
Preferred Qualifications
MSEE/Ph.D. in electrical engineering, Digital Communications, Signal Processing, or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience applying AI/ML methods to wireless systems - such as learned channel estimation, AI-driven receiver design, neural network-based signal detection, or ML-assisted simulation data analysis.
Proficiency with Python and data science/ML libraries (e.g., NumPy, PyTorch, scikit-learn) for simulation automation and AI-assisted analysis workflows.
Experience with High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools for algorithm-to-hardware translation.
Prior engagement with wireless standards organizations or industry consortia (e.g., IEEE 802.15, Bluetooth SIG, FiRa Consortium).
Experience with simulation automation, regression frameworks, or CI/CD pipelines for large-scale system simulation.
Track record of technical publications, patents, or contributions to the broader wireless research community.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex research findings and system trade-offs to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
Strong systems-level mastery of complex wireless architectures, including the ability to reason rigorously about cross-layer dependencies between RF, PHY, MAC, and higher protocol layers.
Extensive hands-on software programming skills for system modeling and simulation, with required proficiency in MATLAB and C/C++.
Experience with fixed-point design and RTL vector generation.
Experience collecting, processing, and visualizing large-scale field and simulation datasets, including performance metrics such as measurement accuracy, latency, and throughput.
Familiarity with analog/RF impairments common in wireless systems (e.g., phase noise, IQ imbalance, nonlinearity).
Experience with or knowledge of wireless standards such as Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), or other wireless protocols.
Experience in lab FPGA/silicon bring-up, PHY/RF/MAC testing, and use of RF lab equipment.
Pay & Benefits
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.
In this role, you will drive end-to-end simulation and algorithm development for complex wireless systems, spanning Bluetooth and UWB protocol stacks, propagation channel modeling, RF/antenna behavior and PHY & MAC protocols. You will bring deep technical expertise, scientific rigor, and a forward-looking perspective - including the application of AI/ML methods - to solve some of the hardest wireless systems challenges in the industry.
This role is ideal for those who thrive at the boundary of theory and silicon, and who wants their work to reach hundreds of millions of people through world-class consumer products.
Description
As a Wireless PHY Systems Engineer, you will lead the research, modeling, and simulation of sophisticated wireless systems across the full signal chain. You will work at the intersection of algorithm invention, system-level analysis, and hardware realization - collaborating with PHY/algorithm engineers, analog and digital designers, and firmware/software teams to develop physical-layer features for next-generation SoC designs.
You will apply AI/ML-driven approaches alongside classical signal processing methods to push the boundaries of simulation fidelity, algorithm performance, and system understanding. Your work will directly influence chip architecture decisions and the wireless capabilities of future Apple products.","responsibilities":"Lead the invention, derivation, and evaluation of advanced physical-layer algorithms and DSP techniques for Bluetooth, UWB, and emerging wireless protocols.
Architect and develop end-to-end simulation frameworks covering propagation channel models, RF/antenna abstractions and PHY/MAC protocol stacks.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to model, analyze, and visualize system performance across the full signal chain.
Process and analyze large volumes of field and simulation data; develop insightful, user-friendly visualizations of complex results including measurement accuracies, system latencies, and protocol performance metrics.
Drive fixed-point design and RTL vector generation to translate algorithm research into hardware-ready implementations, leverage HLS tools where applicable.
Lead or support lab bring-up and validation activities, including FPGA/silicon testing, PHY/RF/MAC debugging, calibration procedures, and advanced lab equipment operation.
Represent the team in technical discussions with cross-functional partners and, where applicable, in external standards bodies or industry consortia.
Utilize AI/ML techniques across all aspects of the role - including algorithm design and optimization, simulation framework development, post-processing and analysis of large-scale field and simulation datasets, RF impairment modeling, and lab-based bring-up and debugging workflows.
Preferred Qualifications
MSEE/Ph.D. in electrical engineering, Digital Communications, Signal Processing, or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience applying AI/ML methods to wireless systems - such as learned channel estimation, AI-driven receiver design, neural network-based signal detection, or ML-assisted simulation data analysis.
Proficiency with Python and data science/ML libraries (e.g., NumPy, PyTorch, scikit-learn) for simulation automation and AI-assisted analysis workflows.
Experience with High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools for algorithm-to-hardware translation.
Prior engagement with wireless standards organizations or industry consortia (e.g., IEEE 802.15, Bluetooth SIG, FiRa Consortium).
Experience with simulation automation, regression frameworks, or CI/CD pipelines for large-scale system simulation.
Track record of technical publications, patents, or contributions to the broader wireless research community.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex research findings and system trade-offs to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
Strong systems-level mastery of complex wireless architectures, including the ability to reason rigorously about cross-layer dependencies between RF, PHY, MAC, and higher protocol layers.
Extensive hands-on software programming skills for system modeling and simulation, with required proficiency in MATLAB and C/C++.
Experience with fixed-point design and RTL vector generation.
Experience collecting, processing, and visualizing large-scale field and simulation datasets, including performance metrics such as measurement accuracy, latency, and throughput.
Familiarity with analog/RF impairments common in wireless systems (e.g., phase noise, IQ imbalance, nonlinearity).
Experience with or knowledge of wireless standards such as Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), or other wireless protocols.
Experience in lab FPGA/silicon bring-up, PHY/RF/MAC testing, and use of RF lab equipment.
Pay & Benefits
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.
Additional Information
- Salary: $175,000 – $308,500
- Posted: 26 days ago