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Wireless Phy Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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

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

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

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 ...

Sr. Modem Systems Engineer, Amazon Leo

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

This is a unique opportunity to help define a next-generation wireless PHY solution with minimal legacy constraints. The team focuses on physical layer system design, including waveform optimization ...

Sr. RF Comms Systems Engineer, Amazon Leo

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

As a Sr. RF Comms Systems Engineer, you will work with a wide variety of functional groups and will ... wireless implementation teams to bring-up, integration and tuning, and debugging of advanced PHY ...

Sr. RF Comms Systems Engineer, Amazon Leo

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

As a Sr. RF Comms Systems Engineer, you will work with a wide variety of functional groups and will ... wireless implementation teams to bring-up, integration and tuning, and debugging of advanced PHY ...

Sr. RF Comms Systems Engineer, Amazon Leo

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

As a Sr. RF Comms Systems Engineer, you will work with a wide variety of functional groups and will ... wireless implementation teams to bring-up, integration and tuning, and debugging of advanced PHY ...

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Wireless Phy Engineer information

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$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 RF PHY Firmware Engineer

Wireless RF PHY Firmware Engineer

Apple

Irvine, CA

$171K - $302K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 20 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

Would you like to join Apple’s growing Wireless Connectivity Silicon team? Our wireless System on a Chip (SoC) organization is responsible for all aspects of wireless silicon development with a particular emphasis on highly energy efficient design and new technologies that transform the user experience at the product level, all of which is driven by a world-class vertically integrated engineering team spanning RF/Analog architecture and design, Systems/PHY/MAC architecture and design, VLSI/RTL design and integration, Emulation, Design Verification, Test and Validation, and FW/SW engineering. In this highly visible role, you will be at the center of a silicon design group with a critical impact on getting functional wireless products to hundreds of millions of customers! Responsible for crafting and implementing embedded firmware for SoC bring up and wireless connectivity enablement. You will work closely with product software and manufacturing teams to enable RF and PHY calibrations, algorithms and testing to enable productization of the silicon / system.
Description
As an Embedded FW Engineer, the individual will be a core member of a Wireless SoC firmware team, with emphasis on PHY bring up, RF calibrations, signal processing algorithm implementation and performance tuning.
- Work closely with product SW and manufacturing teams to provide system-level API and firmware functionality to meet productization needs. Develop SoC test and calibration capabilities for wafer, module, and system factories.
- Collaborate with RF/Radio design, DVT, PHY and System engineering teams to architect, define and implement innovative algorithms, calibrations and protocols.
- Debug realtime systems with limited visibility, working hands-on with development boards and lab equipment.
- Support pre-silicon validation efforts, including simulation, emulation, and FPGA prototyping.
- Support post-silicon bringup, validation, performance characterization, system integration and debug.","responsibilities":"Collaborate with the systems team to understand algorithm implementations in Python.
Implement algorithms on embedded CPUs.
Ensure firmware results are aligned with the Python reference implementation.
Integrate algorithms into the firmware flow to enable time-critical, online calibration.
Debug and resolve issues related to corner cases, part-to-part variations, and other anomalies.
Handle error conditions and implement appropriate recovery mechanisms.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong background in embedded FW development using C and assembly languages, familiarity with ARM CPUs and its internals.
Good understanding of embedded wireless communication systems, Radio and PHY fundamentals and key RF performance metrics.
Familiarity with digital signal processing algorithms.
Understanding python match library like numpy/SciPy and how to convert it to embedded C.
Understanding difference between fix point and floating points and how to make arithmetic tradeoff and simplify embedded usage.
Experience with low-level hardware interfaces, register and interrupt programming, bare-metal software development, clock and power management.
Solid understanding of basic embedded concepts such as RTOS, concurrency, multi-processor systems.
Fluency in using lab equipment such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and power meters.
Experience implementing diagnostics, manufacturing tests, and protocol compliance software.
Knowledgeable of industry standards for wireless communications such as Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, UWB is a plus.
Proficient in at least one of the scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or Tcl.
Excellent communication skills - both written and oral.
Minimum Qualifications
BS and 10+ years of relevant industry experience
Embedded systems knowledge including:
multi thread environment.
Interrupt thread processing/latency.
Multi core environment.
HW/FW semaphores/resource 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 $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