System Test Engineer, 5G​/6G Wireless Interoperability - Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems

System Test Engineer, 5G/6G Wireless Interoperability - Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems

San Diego, California, United States Software and Services

At Apple, we push the boundaries of what's possible — and that starts with the engineers who test it. As a System Test Engineer on our Wireless Technologies team, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring Apple devices deliver seamless, world-class 5G and 6G connectivity across every network, every carrier, and every corner of the globe. If you thrive at the intersection of deep protocol knowledge and cutting‑edge innovation, this is where your expertise will shape products used by hundreds of millions of people.

In this role, you will be at the forefront of validating next‑generation wireless connectivity on Apple products through rigorous interoperability testing across 5G and emerging 6G standards. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams spanning silicon, software, and RF engineering to design and execute system‑level test strategies that span physical layer performance to end‑to‑end protocol behavior. Working with global carrier partners and industry standards, you'll leverage AI/ML‑driven tooling and scalable automation frameworks to uncover issues early and drive quality to the highest bar — all in pursuit of delivering the best possible wireless experience to Apple customers worldwide.

• Design, develop, and execute system‑level interoperability test plans for 5G  (Sub‑6 and FR2/mmWave) and emerging 6G technologies across commercial and lab network environments
• Analyze 3
  
  GPP protocol stacks and physical layer behavior to identify failure modes and drive root cause analysis on complex wireless issues
• Build and maintain automated test frameworks and AI/ML‑assisted diagnostic tools to accelerate test coverage and reduce manual effort
• Partner with carrier and chipset partners to define interoperability test scenarios and reproduce field‑reported issues in a controlled lab setting
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and RF teams to validate new device features against evolving 3
  
  GPP specifications
• Triage, document, and track defects with clear technical detail, working closely with engineering teams to drive issues to resolution
• Contribute to the development of internal test infrastructure, signal analysis pipelines, and reporting dashboards
• Stay current with 3
  
  GPP Release roadmaps and proactively identify testing gaps as standards evolve

• Master's degree (MS) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in wireless system testing, interoperability testing, or protocol validation
• Deep knowledge of 3
  
  GPP standards including 5G  layer (FR1 and FR2/mmWave), RRC, NAS, and related protocols
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (Python, shell, or similar) for test development and result analysis
• Experience with AI/ML tools for test data analysis, anomaly detection, or tool development
• Familiarity with lab test equipment such as network emulators, protocol analyzers, and signal analyzers

• Experience with 6G research concepts, IMT‑2030 frameworks, or pre‑standard wireless technologies
• Hands‑on experience with carrier interoperability testing and field trial environments
• Knowledge of 5G core network architecture (5GC), network slicing, and SA/NSA deployment modes
• Experience with iOS or embedded platform debugging and log analysis tools
• Background in RF performance testing including beam management, MIMO, and FR2 mmWave characterization
• Familiarity with test management and CI/CD pipelines for continuous test integration
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills with the ability to present technical findings to diverse audiences

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $171,600 and $302,200, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

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