Senior RF Engineer (m/f/d)

We are seeking an experienced and technically exceptional Senior Cellular Signaling Testing Applications Engineer to join our customer-facing technical team at Apple in Germany. This senior role is designed for an engineer who brings deep, hands-on expertise in 3GPP 4G LTE and 5G NR cellular protocols, strong software engineering fundamentals - spanning object-oriented design, clean code principles, and rapid prototyping - and a proven track record of technical leadership in complex, customer-facing environments. This position demands not only strong individual contribution, but the ability to lead technical engagements, mentor peers, and shape the direction of our test solutions. You will serve as the primary technical authority for our internal RF test equipment across cellular development teams, driving both customer success and long-term product strategy. Our small team of highly skilled engineers designs and produces precision RF test equipment used to calibrate and test cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mmWave, UWB, and NFC radios in millions of iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Every team member brings unique expertise to take internal Apple products from concept to mass production - each built to Apple's exacting standards. All applications must be submitted in English.

Description

As a Senior Applications Engineer, you will act as the definitive local technical authority on our internal RF test equipment, working closely and collaboratively with cellular development engineers across multiple teams.

You will own complex customer engagements from early architecture discussions through to feature delivery, leading the design, validation, and troubleshooting of sophisticated wireless devices and networks.

In this role, you will be expected to drive technical strategy, influence product roadmaps based on customer insights, and independently resolve ambiguous, high-impact problems.

You will lead demonstrations, workshops, and executive-level technical presentations, and will play a key role in growing the capabilities of the broader team through mentorship and knowledge sharing.

Minimum Qualifications

Typically 7+ years of hands-on experience in cellular systems, RF test, or applications engineering in a technically demanding environment
Expert-level understanding of 3GPP cellular standards, particularly 5G NR and LTE (including physical layer, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, and NAS protocols), with experience applying this knowledge in real-world test scenarios
Deep knowledge of RF fundamentals, wireless system architecture, and advanced RF test methodologies
Extensive hands-on experience with professional wireless test equipment including network emulators, protocol testers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and vector signal analyzers
Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python, C#, C++, MATLAB) with a strong background in building robust, production-quality test automation frameworks
Proven ability to lead technical discussions and present complex concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences - including engineers, cross-functional partners, and senior stakeholders
Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers and driving technical best practices within a team
Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or PhD strongly preferred. Relevant disciplines include Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics.

Preferred Qualifications

Deep familiarity with professional test and measurement platforms (e.g., Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu), including scripting and advanced configuration
Broad knowledge of adjacent wireless technologies (e.g., IoT, Wi-Fi 6/7, Bluetooth LE, UWB)
Experience with virtualization, cloud-native architectures, or Open RAN concepts in a testing or validation context
Prior experience in a technical leadership or staff engineer role, with a history of driving cross-team technical decisions
Background in applications engineering, pre/post-sales engineering, or a similarly customer-facing technical role at a technology company
Experience contributing to or influencing product roadmaps based on field and customer data