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