Wireless System Automation and Test Engineer

$170,700 - $300,200/Yr

Apple - Cupertino, CA

Full-time - Senior

Cupertino, CA

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

As a Wireless System Automation and Test Engineer at Apple, you will be part of the Wireless Hardware group, where your primary responsibility will be to enhance the performance of wireless connectivity products through innovative system-on-chip designs. This role is pivotal in ensuring that our customers can seamlessly connect with their devices, leveraging cutting-edge sensor technology. You will engage in automation development and characterization of advanced wireless SoC products, leading the test development efforts that are crucial to the silicon design process. Your contributions will directly impact the quality and reliability of our wireless systems, which are renowned for their performance and innovation. In this technical role, you will design and lead Python-based test automation for various phases including bring-up, characterization, and regression testing. You will implement golden calibration algorithms for wireless transceivers within the automation infrastructure, working closely with PHY, MAC, RFIC, and digital circuit designers to characterize these algorithms on real silicon. Your responsibilities will also include developing and implementing comprehensive test plans, collecting and analyzing test results, and identifying, root-cause, and debugging issues that arise during testing. You will champion test campaigns through all phases of post-silicon chip development, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of quality and performance. This position requires a deep understanding of communication theory and radio calibration algorithms, as well as extensive experience with lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers. You will also need to have a strong background in developing test automation, including equipment drivers, debug tools, automation scripts, and database interfaces. Knowledge of existing wireless communication protocols, such as 802.11 standards and Bluetooth/BLE, is essential. Your expertise in Python, Shell scripting, and C/C++ will be critical in driving the success of our automation efforts.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead Python-based test automation for bring-up, characterization, and regression.
• Implement golden calibration algorithms for wireless transceivers in automation infrastructure.
• Characterize algorithms on real silicon alongside PHY, MAC, RFIC, and digital circuit designers.
• Develop and implement test plans; collect and analyze test results; identify, root-cause, and debug issues.
• Champion the test campaigns through the bring-up, tuning, characterization, and other phases of post-silicon chip development.

Requirements

• Minimum qualification is BS+10 years of relevant experience; MS or PhD preferred.
• Industry experience with test automation, bringing up, and productization of wireless communication systems.
• Deep understanding of communication theory and radio calibration algorithms (such as modulation and RF impairment mitigation).
• Extensive experience using and understanding the theory of operation of lab equipment (spectrum analyzer, signal generator, network analyzer, power meter).
• Extensive experience developing test automation including equipment drivers, debug tools, automation scripts, database interfaces, and reporting tools.
• Knowledge in existing wireless communication protocols: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, 802.11ad/ay, Bluetooth/BLE, or cellular technologies.
• Extensive experience with Python, Shell scripting, and/or C/C++.
• Experience with automation infrastructure development (traceability, repeatability) and related tools (GIT, CI, database, reporting tools).

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
• Ability to purchase Apple stock at a discount through Employee Stock Purchase Plan