
RFIC Validation and Characterization Engineer
Required skills
- RFIC
- validation
- characterization
- RF test development
- debug
- performance characterization
- reporting
- scripting
- automation
- Python
Nice to have
- relevant industry experience
- RF systems fundamentals
- RF PCB board debugging
- RF PCB board development
- RFIC design
- simulation
Role summary
The Wireless RFIC team is seeking an RFIC Validation and Characterization Engineer to architect, design, and validate radio transceivers for Apple's wireless SoCs. This role involves end-to-end RF integration solutions, from pre-silicon to mass production, with a focus on silicon validation and compliance. You will perform hands-on bench testing, debugging, and system characterization to ensure RF IPs meet performance targets. The position requires proven experience in RF test development, debug, characterization, and reporting, along with scripting skills and familiarity with standard RF test equipment and RF fundamentals.
Description
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.
Minimum Qualifications
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.
Sample Apple interview questions
- 1
Design a typeahead box for a search engine
system designmedium - 2
Design a rate limiter
system designmedium - 3
Architect a key-value store for distributed systems.
system designmedium - 4
Design a system to schedule jobs in a distributed environment
system designmedium - 5
What is an API and how does it work?
technicalmedium
Get started to unlock a personalized interview prep pack for this role.
Similar roles
Senior SerDes Characterization Engineer, PlatformsGoogle · Sunnyvale, CA · Onsite
Silicon Validation/Characterization Engineer - 18757Synopsys · Nepean · Onsite
Device Characterization Engineeronsemi · Hopewell Junction, NY · Onsite- Device Characterization Engineer, Advanced & Emerging MemoryMicron Technology · Boise, ID · Onsite
Validation/Characterization Engineer | INT TRXTexas Instruments · Dallas, TX · Onsite- Staff /Sr Staff Laser Module & Systems Characterization EngineerLightmatter · Mountain View, CA · Onsite
