Wireless Systems Engineer — 6G Cellular Modem
Apple
Software Engineering
San Diego, CA, USA
USD 201,300-367,400 / year + Equity
Posted on Apr 8, 2026
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We're looking for a Wireless Systems Engineer to join our cellular systems engineering team as we define and build the next generation of cellular technology. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of wireless communication at a company that ships at global scale as we transition towards 6G. In this role, you'll bring an end-to-end view of wireless systems — spanning 3GPP standards, algorithm design, hardware architecture, and silicon validation — to deliver leading-edge performance and power optimizations that directly improve the user experience across Apple products. If you thrive at the intersection of deep technical theory and hands-on bring-up — and you're excited about pushing beyond 5G into the 6G era — we want to hear from you.
- As a Cellular Systems Engineer, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of cellular modem systems — from algorithm design through silicon bring-up and productization. Specifically, you will:
- Define & architect system-level features and requirements for next-generation cellular modems, with a focus on 6G evolution and advanced PHY/L1 capabilities.
- Own the E2E system view — connect 3GPP standard requirements, algorithm design trade-offs, HW/FW architecture constraints, and product-level targets into cohesive, leading-edge solutions.
- Design algorithms for the physical layer, across layers and L1/RF control to optimize performance/power.
- Model & simulate algorithms in floating-point and fixed-point using MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python, and validate, through link-level simulation or correlating with data collected from field and real deployments.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with SoC, PHY, PHY HW, PHY FW, and L1 SW teams to ensure end-to-end system requirements are met across the full stack.
- Optimize for user experience by driving performance and power efficiency improvements across the wireless stack — translating system-level insights into tangible gains in throughput, latency, battery life, and connectivity reliability based on real world deployments.
- BS and a minimum of 20 years relevant industry experience
- Strong knowledge of cellular communication standards: 6G (emerging), 5G NR, 4G LTE — particularly RAN1 3GPP.
- Deep expertise in communication system theory and signal processing: LDPC, Polar, and Turbo coding; signal estimation and detection; AGC; RF impairment estimation and correction; channel estimation; OFDM; MIMO detection; waveform generation and up-sampling.
- Proficiency in MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python for algorithm development, fixed/floating-point modeling, and link-level simulation.
- Experience leveraging Generative AI and LLM-based tools to accelerate engineering workflows — e.g., algorithm prototyping, code generation, simulation analysis, or technical documentation
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Communications, or Signal Processing, with 20+ years of relevant industry experience is preferred.
- Experience in low-power algorithm design for power-constrained mobile platforms.
- Experience in end-to-end timeline analysis for latency-critical PHY processing chains.
- Hands-on silicon bring-up experience, including use of lab equipment: protocol testers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters.
- Strong mathematical foundations: linear algebra, stochastic processes, detection & estimation theory.
- Familiarity with 3GPP standardization processes, RAN2, RAN4 topics and emerging 6G study items (e.g., AI/ML for air interface, sub-THz bands, joint communication and sensing, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces).
- Track record of published research or patents in wireless communications is a plus.
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