Senior RFIC Test Engineer
Apple - San Diego, CA
posted 5 months ago
About the position
As a Senior RFIC Test Engineer at Apple, you will be an integral part of the wireless RFIC team, which is responsible for architecting, designing, and validating radio transceivers that are integrated into complex wireless System on Chips (SoCs). This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in innovative development in transceiver design while collaborating closely with systems and product teams at Apple. You will be tasked with performing tests, debugging, and measuring RF System on Chip (SoC) Intellectual Property (IP). Your contributions will directly impact the wireless connectivity solutions that power Apple’s wearable products, ensuring they maintain the smallest form factor while operating within the lowest power envelope. In this position, you will run bench tests and debug RF SoC IP, which includes transmitters, receivers, Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs), power amplifiers, Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), crystal oscillators, and Power Management Units (PMUs). You will also be responsible for debugging chip-level or board-level desense and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) issues. Your role will involve writing scripts to automate measurements in a build-up environment, performing RF system characterization, and measuring key parameters such as Error Vector Magnitude (EVM), spectral mask, phase noise, and sensitivity. Additionally, you will design external matching networks to optimize the transmission and reception performance of the radio systems. Collaboration is key in this role, as you will work with RF systems and integration teams to ensure proper RF board layout, test interface methodology, programming sequences, and RF calibration programming. Synchronizing radio register settings between simulation and test environments will also be a critical part of your responsibilities. This position not only requires a strong technical background but also a commitment to innovation and excellence in RFIC design and testing.
Responsibilities
- Run bench tests and debug RF SoC IP including transmitters, receivers, PLL, power amplifiers, ADC/DAC, crystal oscillators, and PMU.
- Debug chip level or board level desense and EMI issues.
- Write scripts using a build-up environment to automate measurements.
- Perform RF system characterization measuring EVM, spectral mask, phase noise, sensitivity, and other radio parameters.
- Design external matching networks to optimize Tx/Rx radio performance.
- Generate RF design/verification/test reports.
- Collaborate with RF systems and integration teams on RF board layout, test interface methodology, programming sequence, and RF calibration programming.
- Synchronize radio register settings between simulation environment and test environment.
Requirements
- BS degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
- Experience in RF test development, debug, and reporting.
- Scripting and debugging knowledge in Python, Perl, TCL, C+, or equivalent.
- Working knowledge of RF test equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, and vector signal generators.
- Strong RF background and familiarity with RF systems fundamentals.
- Good knowledge of RF, PLL, and general wireless systems measurements (e.g., IP3, NF, ACPR, phase noise, lock time).
- Some experience in RF PCB board design, debug, and development.
- Exposure to RFIC design and simulation/verification.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
- Retirement benefits
- Discounted products and free services
- Reimbursement for certain educational expenses, including tuition
- Discretionary bonuses or commission payments
- Relocation assistance
- Participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs
- Opportunity to purchase Apple stock at a discount through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
