Wireless RF PHY Firmware Engineer

Wireless RF PHY Firmware Engineer

Irvine, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: Aug 05, 2025

Role Number:

Would you like to join Apple’s growing Wireless Connectivity Silicon team? Our wireless System on a Chip (SoC) organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development with a particular emphasis on highly energy efficient design and new technologies that transform the user experience at the product level, all of which is driven by a world-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. In this highly visible role, you will be at the center of a silicon design group with a critical impact on getting functional wireless products to hundreds of millions of customers! Responsible for crafting and implementing embedded firmware for SoC bring up and wireless connectivity enablement. You will work closely with product software and manufacturing teams to enable RF and PHY calibrations, algorithms and testing to enable productization of the silicon / system.

Description

As an Embedded FW Engineer, the individual will be a core member of a Wireless SoC firmware team, with emphasis on PHY bring up, RF calibrations, signal processing algorithm implementation and performance tuning.

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• Work closely with product SW and manufacturing teams to provide system-level API and firmware functionality to meet productization needs. Develop SoC test and calibration capabilities for wafer, module, and system factories.
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• Collaborate with RF/Radio design, DVT, PHY and System engineering teams to architect, define and implement innovative algorithms, calibrations and protocols.
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• Debug realtime systems with limited visibility, working hands-on with development boards and lab equipment.
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• Support pre-silicon validation efforts, including simulation, emulation, and FPGA prototyping.
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• Support post-silicon bringup, validation, performance characterization, system integration and debug.
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Minimum Qualifications

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  BS and 10+ years of relevant industry experience

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  Embedded systems knowledge including:

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  Multi thread environment.

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  Interrupt thread processing/latency.

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  Multi core environment.

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  HW/FW semaphores/resource management.

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Preferred Qualifications

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  Strong background in embedded FW development using C and assembly languages, familiarity with ARM CPUs and its internals.

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  Good understanding of embedded wireless communication systems, Radio and PHY fundamentals and key RF performance metrics.

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  Familiarity with digital signal processing algorithms.

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  Understanding python match library like numpy/SciPy and how to convert it to embedded C.

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  Understanding difference between fix point and floating points and how to make arithmetic tradeoff and simplify embedded usage.

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  Experience with low-level hardware interfaces, register and interrupt programming, bare-metal software development, clock and power management.

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  Solid understanding of basic embedded concepts such as RTOS, concurrency, multi-processor systems.

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  Fluency in using lab equipment such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters etc.

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  Experience implementing diagnostics, manufacturing tests, and protocol compliance software.

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  Knowledgeable of industry standards for wireless communications such as Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, UWB is a plus.

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  Proficient in at least one of the scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or Tcl.

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  Excellent communication skills – both written and oral.

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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 $171,600 and $302,200, 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 ( .

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 ( .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program ( .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.