Manager Rf Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple's Hardware Engineering Program Management Team is looking for a resourceful Engineering New Product Technology Project Manager (NPT PM) to support the Wireless Systems & Compliance Engineering team in enabling RF compliance and performance testing for Apple's groundbreaking products. Be at the center of the action on a broad range of wireless test programs, partnering directly with RF test engineers, regulatory engineering, and lab operations to ensure that test setups, products, and materials are ready to support certification, conformance, and performance characterization milestones. RF testing at Apple is performed with a range of niche RF test equipment and setups, including conducted RF test stations, anechoic and semi-anechoic chambers, and custom crafted setups in indoor and outdoor environments. The HW Engineering environment is dynamic and ever-changing; flexibility, the ability to prioritize, and the ability to react quickly are essential. The ideal candidate is a strategic problem solver and confident organizer who can simplify complex environments, coordinate diverse teams, and manage multiple competing priorities in service of RF test execution.
Description
In this role, you will drive the NPI build planning, material readiness, and logistics activities that directly enable RF compliance and performance testing across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and other Apple products. You will be embedded with RF test teams, working hand-in-hand with test engineers and technicians to make sure the right devices, accessories, prototypes, fixtures, instruments, and test equipment are in the right lab or chamber at the right time. You will own the allocation of products and development hardware to RF test teams, coordinate the wireless compliance approvals process for Apple accessories, and track the construction, installation, and commissioning of RF test chambers and stations. You will also manage build matrices, materials forecasting and planning, CTB (Clear to Build) analysis and reporting, budget, procurement, and configuration management activities tied to RF test programs and lab capability ramps.","responsibilities":"Partner closely with RF test engineers, technicians, and lab operations to plan and enable compliance, conformance, and performance test execution on Apple products.
Manage the allocation and tracking of products, accessories, and development hardware flowing to RF test teams across multiple geographies.
Drive build readiness and material readiness for RF test milestones, ensuring units, fixtures, cables, antennas, and supporting materials arrive in time to meet test windows and regulatory deadlines.
Coordinate the wireless compliance approvals process for Apple accessories and track status through to test completion.
Track and report on construction, installation, validation, and commissioning of RF test chambers, conducted RF test stations, and custom indoor/outdoor test setups.
Manage material procurement and coordinate installation and validation testing of RF conformance and performance test systems, including instrumentation and robotics automation.
Drive the CTB process for RF test builds and communicate changes to ensure clear visibility into materials lead-time, logistics readiness, and shipping plans aligned to product MP release timelines.
Work closely with engineering design teams to create, structure, and release BOMs related to RF test fixtures and setups, including part numbers, engineering change orders, and related technical drawings and documents.
Partner with program managers, global commodity managers, and finance teams to create and manage development budgets and procurement activities for RF test capital equipment and materials.
Generate purchase requisitions, host material planning meetings, communicate delivery schedules, and manage domestic and overseas vendors and design partners supporting RF test.
Coordinate with System EPMs and factory teams to align regulatory and performance testing within product development and mass production timelines.
Anticipate, escalate, and mitigate risks stemming from engineering change, material shortage, or schedule slip that could impact RF test execution; develop and drive mitigation paths.
Present RF test material status, risks, and progress to cross-functional teams and management in weekly reviews.
Preferred Qualifications
Engineering background or technical fluency that enables productive collaboration with RF, electrical, mechanical, software, and facilities engineering teams.
Experience supporting RF, wireless, or hardware test labs, including test equipment procurement, lab build-outs, or chamber construction and commissioning.
Familiarity with RF test equipment and/or wireless technologies such as cellular (WCDMA, LTE, 5G), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS, and/or 3GPP RF test specifications.
Cross-functional leadership experience supporting engineering test, validation, or NPI activities; formal program management experience is a plus but not required.
Configuration management and Bill of Material (BOM) experience, including ECO processes.
Experience working with overseas vendors and globally distributed engineering and test teams.
Proficient in Excel or Numbers and capable of learning new software applications quickly.
Detail oriented, ensuring accuracy of all data, status, and reports.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor content to the intended audience.
Strategic critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-time crisis leadership skills; comfortable working with ambiguity and changing priorities.
Ability to stay calm in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.
Strong work ethic with the ability to prioritize and multitask across multiple parallel projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience.
Experience in supply chain or NPI program management to include build management/planning, material clear to build, and supplier management.
Pay & Benefits
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 $134,800 and $245,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.