1

Wireless Phy Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our wireless SoC organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development with a ... As a PHY Design Verification Engineer, you will be responsible for pre-silicon RTL verification of ...

Our wireless SoC organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development with a ... As a PHY Design Verification Engineer, you will be responsible for pre-silicon RTL verification of ...

Our wireless SoC organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development with a ... As a PHY Design Verification Engineer, you will be responsible for pre-silicon RTL verification of ...

Strong wireless/PHY/radio fundamentals. 10+ years of proven experience as a Silicon firmware test engineer.Experience in FW/SW white box testing, including test plan design, implementation ...

The Wireless Connectivity Silicon team is looking for a Wireless Firmware Test Engineer to help ... Strong wireless/PHY/radio fundamentals.Experience in FW/SW white box testing, including test plan ...

As an Embedded FW Engineer, the individual will be a core member of a Wireless SoC firmware team, with emphasis on radio and PHY bring up, RF calibrations, signal processing algorithm implementation ...

As an Embedded FW Engineer, the individual will be a core member of a Wireless SoC firmware team, with emphasis on radio and PHY bring up, RF calibrations, signal processing algorithm implementation ...

Strong wireless/PHY/radio fundamentals. Experience in FW/SW white box testing, including test plan ... Programming skills in Python, Perl or Shell scripting. Pay & Benefits At Apple, base pay is one ...

Proficiency in programming with python and C.Knowledgable with hardware/firmware development life ... Strong wireless/PHY/radio/RF fundamentals.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Able to ...

Description As an Embedded FW Engineer, the individual will be a core member of a Wireless SoC firmware team, with emphasis on radio and PHY bring up, RF calibrations, signal processing algorithm ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Wireless Phy Engineer information

See salary details

$73K

$129.5K

$249K

How much do wireless phy engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for wireless phy engineer in the United States is $129,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,000.00 and $134,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Wireless PHY Engineers?

Wireless PHY Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and optimize the physical layer (PHY) of wireless communication systems. The PHY layer is responsible for the transmission and reception of raw data bits over a physical medium, such as radio waves. These engineers work on signal processing algorithms, modulation schemes, coding, and hardware interfaces to ensure reliable and efficient wireless communication. They often collaborate with hardware and protocol engineers to implement standards like 5G, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Their work is crucial for enabling high-speed, robust wireless connectivity in devices and networks.

What are some common challenges Wireless PHY Engineers face when working on new wireless standards?

Wireless PHY Engineers often encounter challenges related to rapidly evolving wireless standards and the need to ensure interoperability across various devices and networks. Staying updated with the latest specifications, such as those from 3GPP or IEEE, and translating them into efficient, robust PHY layer designs can be demanding. Additionally, balancing performance goals with hardware limitations and optimizing for power consumption, latency, and throughput requires strong problem-solving and collaboration skills, often working closely with RF, MAC, and firmware teams.

What is the difference between Wireless Phy Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectWireless Phy EngineerRF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Wireless CommunicationsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, RF or Microwave Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesigning physical layer protocols, signal processing, chip-level developmentTesting, measuring, and optimizing RF circuits and systems
Industry UsageWireless device development, 5G, Wi-Fi, BluetoothRF component manufacturing, testing labs, telecom infrastructure

Wireless Phy Engineers focus on the physical layer design and signal processing for wireless communication systems, while RF Engineers specialize in RF circuit design, testing, and optimization. Both roles require similar technical backgrounds but differ in their specific focus areas within wireless technology development.

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

To excel as a Wireless PHY Engineer, you need a solid background in wireless communications, digital signal processing, and a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Experience with MATLAB, C/C++, RF test equipment, and familiarity with wireless standards (such as LTE, 5G NR, or Wi-Fi) are typically required, along with relevant industry certifications. Strong analytical skills, teamwork, and effective problem-solving abilities distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are essential for designing, testing, and optimizing wireless physical layer solutions that ensure robust and efficient communication systems.
Infographic showing various Wireless Phy Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,511 per year, or $62.3 per hour.
Wireless Systems Integration Engineer, RF/PHY

Wireless Systems Integration Engineer, RF/PHY

Apple

Irvine, CA

$120K - $210K/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

At Apple, we work every single day to craft products that enrich people’s lives. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? Do you like changing the game? We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and unusually hardworking Wireless System Engineer. As a member of our multi-faceted Wireless Connectivity team, you will have the rare and extraordinary opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and encourage millions of Apple’s customers every single day.
Description
In this role, you will play a key part in the integration, bring-up, and tuning of physical layer/RF systems for next-generation wireless SoCs - from pre-silicon stage to product launch in Apple devices. You get to collaborate across disciplines-including PHY algorithms, RF design, digital, MAC, and firmware teams - to ensure seamless integration and best-in-class wireless performance.","responsibilities":"Drive Bring-up, integration, and performance optimization of Wi-Fi PHY and Radio Systems for both pre-silicon and post-silicon stages.
Develop and integrate PHY features and calibration algorithms such as TPC, AGC, TSSI, RSSI, and interference mitigation.
Debug and root-cause system performance issues across RF domains (impairments, calibration, gain control) and digital PHY processing (OFDM, synchronization, channel estimation, MIMO).
Collaborate closely with PHY system Algorithm Engineers as well as Radio, RFIC, MAC and digital circuit designers to ensure end-to-end feature integration.
Supporting the transition from lab bring-up to robust firmware integration and product readiness.
Characterize RF/PHY performance, and drive resolutions to ensure robust, high-quality product delivery.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred BSEE/MSEE and a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience
Experience, knowledge and skills on wireless system design, integration, bring up and debug of wireless PHY and RF systems on SoC platforms.
Strong understanding of OFDM and MIMO-based wireless systems across both baseband and RF domains, with a solid foundation in related communication theory and signal processing.
Strong understanding of wireless transceiver architectures, RF front-ends and related system-level tradeoffs.
Knowledge of analog/RF impairments (e.g., DCOC, IQ imbalance, IP2, LOFT, DPD) and their calibration flows.
Proficiency in performance metrics such as EVM, sensitivity and impairment mitigation strategies.
Experience working across multi-radio coexistence environments.
Proficiency using and understanding of the theory of operation of lab equipment such as spectrum analyzer, signal generator, power meter.
Experience with at least one of the following - Matlab, Python, Shell scripting and/or C/C++.
Experience with automation infrastructure development including traceability, repeatability and related tools (GIT, CI, database, reporting tools).
Knowledge of existing wireless communication protocols: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, LTE/WCDMA/GSM, or 802.11ad/ay.
Advanced degrees - MS or PhD in Electrical Engineer, Computer Engineering or other technical disciplines
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree
Hands on experience in Experience in wireless system design, integration, or bring-up.
Strong fundamentals in signal processing, communication theory, OFDM systems, radio architectures, and analog/RF impairments, with understanding of their impact on key system performance metrics.
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 $120,300 and $210,100, 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.

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