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Cellular Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Xoriant Corporation

Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA Duration: 6+ months contract Samsung SOC R&D Lab in San Diego is looking for Cellular Engineer - 5G/4G Lab/Field test to join the team of passionate engineers with start-up spirit to ...

Apple

Cellular System Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems algorithms and ...

Apple

Cellular System Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems algorithms and ...

Apple

Cellular Field Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

You will perform HW and SW cellular testing on Apple products along with analysis into internal logs to understand/identify root cause. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent major ...

Apple

Cellular System Engineer

San Diego, CA

$171K - $302K/yr

Description As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems ...

Apple

Cellular System Engineer

San Diego, CA

$120K - $210K/yr

Description As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems ...

Apple

Cellular System Engineer

San Diego, CA

$120K - $210K/yr

Description As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems ...

Apple

Cellular System Engineer

San Diego, CA

$171K - $302K/yr

Description As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems ...

Qualcomm

5G Cellular Systems Engineer, Staff

San Diego, CA · On-site

$134K - $202K/yr

QGOV is seeking an experienced 5G cellular systems engineer to architect solutions incorporating commercial Qualcomm System on Chip (SoC) processors into U.S. Government applications. The ideal ...

Apple

Cellular PHY Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a Cellular System Engineer, you will be responsible for the pre- and post-silicon bring up, and validation of end-to-end cellular systems. You will understand and map systems algorithms and ...

Apple

Cellular RF Firmware Engineer

San Diego, CA

$120K - $210K/yr

Description In this role, you will develop the embedded systems for cellular RF transceivers and ... This position requires a close collaboration with our system engineers, hardware developers, and ...

Apple

Cellular RF Firmware Engineer

San Diego, CA

$171K - $302K/yr

Description In this role, you will develop the embedded systems for cellular RF transceivers and ... This position requires a close collaboration with our system engineers, hardware developers, and ...

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All JobsCellular Engineer JobsCellular Engineer Jobs in California

Cellular Engineer information

See California salary details

$72K

$127.8K

$245.7K

How much do cellular engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for cellular engineer in California is $127,815.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,700.00 and $132,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior-level engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and certain electrical or aerospace engineering roles can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and leadership responsibilities.

What are Cellular Engineers?

Cellular Engineers are professionals who design, implement, and maintain wireless communication networks, specifically those that use cellular technology such as 4G and 5G. They work on optimizing network performance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring reliable coverage for mobile devices. Their responsibilities often include planning cell tower locations, upgrading hardware and software, and collaborating with other engineers to improve network efficiency. Cellular Engineers play a crucial role in enabling the seamless connectivity that supports modern mobile communications.

What is the difference between Cellular Engineer vs Wireless Network Engineer?

AspectCellular EngineerWireless Network Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field, certifications like Cisco CCNA, LTE certificationsBachelor's in Telecommunications, certifications like CWNA, Cisco CCNA Wireless
Work EnvironmentTelecom companies, network providers, infrastructure sitesIT firms, service providers, enterprise network setups
Industry UsageDesign, optimize, and maintain cellular networks (LTE, 5G)Design, implement, and troubleshoot wireless LANs and Wi-Fi networks

While both roles focus on wireless communication, Cellular Engineers specialize in cellular networks like LTE and 5G, whereas Wireless Network Engineers focus on Wi-Fi and local wireless networks. Both require similar certifications and often work in related environments, but their specific technical expertise and network types differ.

How much do cell engineers get paid?

Cellular engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers or those in high-demand areas can earn higher salaries, often with opportunities for overtime and bonuses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cellular Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cellular Engineer, you need a strong background in telecommunications engineering, wireless communications, and network optimization, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools such as RF planning software, drive test equipment, and certifications like CCNA or 5G-related credentials is typical. Excellent problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective collaboration skills help you address complex network issues and communicate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure reliable cellular network performance, user satisfaction, and successful deployment of evolving wireless technologies.

What are some common challenges Cellular Engineers face when working on network optimization projects?

Cellular Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing coverage and capacity, minimizing dropped calls, and adapting network parameters to fluctuating user demand. They may need to troubleshoot interference issues, integrate new technologies like 5G, and coordinate upgrades with minimal service disruption. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including RF engineers, software developers, and field technicians, is essential to address these challenges efficiently and ensure optimal network performance.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior-level engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and certain aerospace engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-demand industries or companies with competitive compensation packages.

What does a cellular engineer do?

A cellular engineer designs, develops, and maintains wireless communication systems, including cellular networks and infrastructure. They work with radio frequency technology, network protocols, and equipment to ensure reliable mobile connectivity, often using tools like spectrum analyzers and network simulators. The role typically requires knowledge of telecommunications standards and may involve field testing and troubleshooting.
What are popular job titles related to Cellular Engineer jobs in California? For Cellular Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cellular Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Cellular Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Cellular Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Cellular Engineer job openings:
Cellular Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cellular Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $127,815 per year, or $61.4 per hour.
Field Cellular Engineer (5G/4G/LTE) - Product Field Testing of Smartphones/Devices

Field Cellular Engineer (5G/4G/LTE) - Product Field Testing of Smartphones/Devices

OSI Engineering, Inc.

Cupertino, CA

$40 - $45/hr

Other

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Field Cellular Engineer (5G/4G/LTE) - Product Field Testing of Smartphones/Devices

Responsibilities:

  • You will be driven to local and non-local in short notice to test Cellular connectivity of nex-gen smartphones and devices (4 days in the field, 1 day in the lab per work week)
  • You will travel to testing locations up to 1 hour away for the entire day, up to 4 days out of the week. Transportation/Driver will be provided.
  • You will communicate if there is a technical issue and have strong fundamental skills and judgement skills
  • You will judge the testing/data and should be able to move forward without asking for help and be able to adapt quickly
  • Not necessarily looking for experts, but candidates with 1-5 years’ experience with developed fundamental skills
  • Strong analytical skills/good at identifying problems (should be able to judge testing conditions/if testing is going well and how to move forward with the next step instead of constantly calling for help)
  • Able to report back with data, describe technical problems and are easily adaptable
  • If the candidate is not an expert, you will get trained as long as you have fundamental knowledge in wireless domains (LTE, 5GNR)

Requirements:

  • 1-5 years of cellular testing experience (5G/LTE Stack)
  • Knowledge in cellular domain wireless with basic to good understanding in 5GNR and LTE protocol stack
  • Experience troubleshooting common technical setup issues in the field
  • Cellular baseband Log analysis is required with limited to good hands-on experience
  • Good analytical skills and judgement while executing test campaigns
  • Ability to quickly adapt and learn
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Must be detail oriented and focused on problem identification
  • Able to travel local and non-local in short notice
  • Able to travel domestically up to 2 weeks a quarter
  • Ability to look at cellular log for on-field debugging is highly desired
  • Recent field-testing experience highly preferred

Locations: Cupertino CA (onsite)

Duration: 12 months +

Pay Range: $40-$45 (DOE)

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