Cellular RF Receiver Systems Architect

Apple's RF System Engineering team is seeking a motivated and talented expert to define the next generation of Cellular RF Receiver architectures. In this role, you will architect and deliver groundbreaking wireless solutions for future Apple products, working on today's 5G radio and pioneering the path to 6G. You will have a unique opportunity to develop the core technologies that enable an outstanding wireless experience for millions of customers worldwide.

As a key member of our industry-leading team, you will drive the evolution of our RF receiver architectures. You will influence and collaborate with RF circuit design, platform architecture, and software engineering teams to define and implement concepts that deliver uncompromising performance and quality. You will drive innovation and execution through the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Innovate and architect the complete RF Receiver chain, from the antenna through the RF frontend to the digital baseband.
• Translate high-level system requirements into detailed component and block-level specifications.
• Develop and own the detailed RF line-up analysis, including creating and maintaining system-level simulations using MATLAB and Python, a comprehensive level plan, and link budget.
• Influence architecture decisions, perform trade-off studies, and ensure performance targets are met.
• Develop system features and digital signal processing algorithms for compensation of analog impairments occurring in the receiver line-up.
• Work with baseband system engineering on 5G and future 6G system use cases and receiver aspects of physical layer procedures.
• Author detailed system and block-level specifications for internal RFIC and external RF frontend module (FEM) design partners.
• Work with other teams to drive the concept-to-product journey, ensuring successful integration, validation, and optimization of the Receiver from the architectural phase through to mass production.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BSEE required.
• Demonstrated System Engineering experience in designing complex communication RF systems (e.g. Cellular, WiFi), with deep expertise in state-of-the-art receiver architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive innovation and execution excellence across an organization.
• 5 years of experience in Radio Receiver design is preferred.
• Deep understanding of cellular system use cases, transmit/receive interactions, and coexistence challenges in complex consumer electronics.
• Experience in clock/frequency planning.
• Good understanding of BB related algorithms/aspects (e.g. channel estimation/equalization).
• Good understanding of analog data converters, from a system perspective/impairments.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to enhance multi-objective optimization of the RF line-up and link budget models.
• Deep theoretical and practical understanding of RF system performance metrics and impairments (NF, non-linearity, phase noise, IQ imbalance, DC) and their direct impact on overall system performance.
• In-depth understanding of 3GPP standards with a focus on RF requirements and physical layer procedures for FR1 and FR2.
• Proficiency in using MATLAB and Python for RF system modeling and simulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to diverse, cross-functional global teams.
• Mastery of RF line-up analysis and detailed development of a level plan for modern receiver architecture.
• Experience with lab bring-up, system calibration, and debugging RF.
• Familiarity with modern digital modem architectures.
• Familiarity with RFIC design, layout considerations, and semiconductor processes.