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Wireless Drive Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Experience in FW/SW white box testing, including test plan design, implementation, documentation ... able to drive issues to completion accurately. Thrive in a collaborative environment and be ...

Apple is seeking a highly motivated, energetic Wireless System Architect to drive wireless system ... testing wireless communication systems Experience in defining technical wireless requirements for ...

Conduct field testing of wireless network features, devices, and services to validate performance and functionality. * Perform drive testing and on-site testing to evaluate network coverage ...

... drive design improvements. You'll collaborate with system integration and test engineers to ... Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and wireless system testing in laboratory environments.

... drive design improvements. You'll collaborate with system integration and test engineers to ... Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and wireless system testing in laboratory environments.

Field Test Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $69K/yr

Conduct field testing of wireless network features, devices, and services to validate performance and functionality. * Perform drive testing and on-site testing to evaluate network coverage ...

... drive design improvements. You'll collaborate with system integration and test engineers to ... Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and wireless system testing in laboratory environments.

... drive design improvements. You'll collaborate with system integration and test engineers to ... Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and wireless system testing in laboratory environments.

... drive design improvements. You'll collaborate with system integration and test engineers to ... Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and wireless system testing in laboratory environments.

... drive design improvements. You'll collaborate with system integration and test engineers to ... Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and wireless system testing in laboratory environments.

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Wireless Drive Tester information

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$10

$38

$62

How much do wireless drive tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for wireless drive tester in the United States is $38.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $50.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Wireless Drive Testers?

Wireless Drive Testers are professionals who assess and optimize the performance of wireless networks by conducting drive tests in vehicles or on foot. They use specialized equipment and software to collect data on signal strength, coverage, call quality, and network interference. This information is analyzed to help network operators troubleshoot issues, improve coverage, and enhance the overall user experience. Drive testing is essential during network rollout, upgrades, and optimization projects. Wireless Drive Testers often work closely with radio frequency (RF) engineers and network planners.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Wireless Drive Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Wireless Drive Tester, you need a solid understanding of wireless communication technologies, RF principles, and typically a degree in telecommunications or a related field. Familiarity with drive testing tools like TEMS, Nemo, or XCAL, as well as experience with data analysis software, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for accurately assessing network performance, identifying issues, and delivering actionable insights to optimize wireless networks.

What is the difference between Wireless Drive Tester vs RF Engineer?

AspectWireless Drive TesterRF Engineer
CertificationsFCC, CE, or vendor-specific certificationsFCC, CE, or vendor-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentField testing, on-site data collectionDesign, analysis, and optimization in labs or offices
Industry UsageTelecom field testing, network validationNetwork planning, optimization, and troubleshooting

Wireless Drive Testers primarily perform on-site testing to evaluate network coverage and performance, while RF Engineers focus on designing and optimizing wireless networks through analysis and planning. Both roles require similar certifications and are integral to telecom industry operations, but they differ in daily tasks and work environments.

What are some common challenges faced by wireless drive testers in the field, and how can they be addressed?

Wireless drive testers often encounter issues such as fluctuating signal quality, unpredictable weather conditions, and complex urban or rural terrains that can impact data collection accuracy. To address these challenges, testers should be proficient in using specialized measurement tools, follow standardized routes, and maintain clear communication with network engineers to report anomalies promptly. Staying organized and adaptable, as well as adhering to safety protocols during fieldwork, ensures efficient and reliable performance in this role.
More about Wireless Drive Tester jobs
What job categories do people searching Wireless Drive Tester jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Wireless Drive Tester jobs are:
Infographic showing various Wireless Drive Tester job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,791 per year, or $38.4 per hour.
Wireless Firmware Test Engineer

Wireless Firmware Test Engineer

Apple

San Diego, CA

$171K - $302K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 11 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

The Wireless Connectivity Silicon team is looking for a Wireless Firmware Test Engineer to help ensure the quality of innovative wireless silicon for use in Apple products. You can also help in the automation development effort to characterize state-of-the-art wireless SoC products!
Description
In this role you will collaborate with FW, Radio, MAC, and Systems engineering teams to develop a FW test plan to ensure Apple's wireless silicon FW and products' stability, reliability, function correctness, and performance. You will develop white box FW test cases by understanding FW code structure and work closely with developers to craft test methodologies and FW functions to support testing. You will work on test plan development, manual and automatic test setup/scripts, publish test reports, collect test logs, and first screen of test failure/debug. Help build pre-silicon and post-silicon reference board test setups, as well as production-specific test setups. Design and develop innovative ideas that address automation and execution problems. Support development in debugging and reproducing issues, work with system QA on bug reproduction, log/statistic collection, run debug tests with debug FW build, etc.","responsibilities":"Develop and execute white box FW test cases by thoroughly understanding the FW code structure.
Collaborate closely with FW developers to design test methodologies and FW functions that facilitate testing.
Working closely with cross functional partners across FW, Radio, MAC, and Systems engineering teams, you’ll develop WiFi PHY firmware validation plan to ensure the stability, reliability, function correctness, and performance of Apple’s N1 wireless silicon firmware and products.
Support development teams with troubleshooting complex issues, work with partner teams on bug reproduction, log analysis & debug.
Preferred Qualifications
Proven experience as a Silicon firmware test engineer.
Strong wireless/PHY/radio fundamentals.
Experience in FW/SW white box testing, including test plan design, implementation, documentation, and maintenance.
Strong problem-solving and debugging skills: analyze and investigate test failures, errors, build issues, and be able to drive issues to completion accurately.
Thrive in a collaborative environment and be comfortable working with multi-functional teams.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Understanding of embedded SW fundamentals and low-level hardware interfaces.
Standout ability in collaboration, communication, and partnerships.
Proactive, positive, dedicated, inventive, and willing to address challenges.
Excellent knowledge and experience with test methodologies (unit testing, integration testing, performance testing, and functional testing).
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors +10 years of relevant industry experience.
Strong knowledge of wireless communication systems and IEEE 802.11 standards (a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be).
Programming skills in Python, Perl or Shell scripting.
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 $171,600 and $302,200, 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.

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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