ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cellular Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Cellular Field Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$141K - $213K/yr

Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent major Deep understanding of cellular protocol stack from LTE PHY/MAC to higher layers, call processing. Experience ...

Apple

Cellular Automation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

... cellular technologies experience is a plus.Proven experience developing test automation, including equipment drivers, debug tools, automation scripts and interfaces.Strong programming skills in ...

Apple

Cellular RF Receiver Systems Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $23.75/hr

Apple's RF System Engineering team is seeking a motivated and dedicated expert to define the next generation of Cellular RF Receiver architectures. In this role, you will architect and deliver ...

Apple

Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$147K - $272K/yr

The Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices. The engineer will be responsible ...

Apple

Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$181K - $318K/yr

The Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices. The engineer will be responsible ...

Apple

Cellular PHY Systems Engineer

Bodega Bay, 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 RF Hardware Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$126K - $220K/yr

The Cellular RF Hardware Design Engineer will design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) hardware circuits and systems for wireless communications devices. The engineer will be responsible ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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.
Cellular RF Receiver Algorithms Systems Engineer

Cellular RF Receiver Algorithms Systems Engineer

Apple

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Apple's RF System Engineering team is seeking a motivated and dedicated 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 New Radio and blazing 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.
In this role, you will drive the control architecture and algorithms for the RF receiver, collaborating across systems engineering, RF circuit design, digital implementation, platform architecture, software engineering, and production teams to define and deliver solutions that push the boundaries of performance, quality, and implementation efficiency.
BSEE required.Understanding of Cellular Radio/3GPP Standards (UMTS, LTE, 5G NR FR1/2) and familiarity with emerging 6G research directions.Knowledge of RF receiver architectures from antenna to analog/digital base band processing including a comprehensive understanding of RF circuit impairments and their impact on system performance.Good overview of cellular system use cases and RF/baseband interactions and procedures.Proficiency in hardware/software co-design and a comprehensive grasp of the trade-offs inherent in digital hardware and software/firmware implementations.Expert-level proficiency in Python or C++ is required.Experience applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) to improve multi-objective optimizations and accelerate engineering workflows.Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a global, multi-disciplinary team.
Expertise in microcontroller architectures used for real time operation and how to program them.Proficiency in AI/ML native applications, with experience utilizing tools such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.Knowledge of cellular modem architectures including their associated concepts and algorithms.PhD degree with education focus in RF, especially on cellular receiver architectures.System Engineering experience with a deep background in DSP for wireless communication systems. Experience in refining from abstract definition towards bit true reference models.Proficiency in mathematical modeling and analysis, with the ability to build abstract system models leveraging control theory for understanding and designing control and closed-loop feedback systems, optimization theory for multi-objective trade-space analysis and statistical methods for performance modeling under uncertainty.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

View All Apple Jobs

Apply