Software Development Engineer in Test, Sensing & Connectivity

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, we believe new insights have a way of becoming excellent products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. The people here at Apple don't just create products - they create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts.

Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. Our Sensing and Connectivity team is seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test to validate and advance the next generation of location algorithms powering every Apple product. Our proprietary positioning stack fuses GNSS, Cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals to deliver the location experience behind Maps Navigation, Fitness applications, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and more. As a Location Test Engineer focused on Algorithm Validation, you will directly measure, characterize, and improve the accuracy, reliability, and performance of these algorithms - ensuring hundreds of millions of users can trust the blue dot.

Description

The Software Location QE team operates at the intersection of algorithm development and quality engineering. We design experiments, build analysis pipelines, and run validation campaigns that prove (or disprove) that location algorithms meet Apple's rigorous standards across real-world and simulated environments.

We're looking for an engineer with a deep understanding of GNSS positioning algorithms and statistical validation methods to strengthen the reliability and robustness of our proprietary location system. You will define what "correct" looks like for positioning accuracy, evaluate algorithm changes against ground-truth data, and drive continuous improvement through data-driven insights.

Responsibilities:

Algorithm Validation & Characterization - Design and execute validation plans that measure positioning accuracy, time-to-first-fix (TTFF), yield, and continuity for GNSS, A-GNSS, hybrid, and fused location algorithms.

Root-Cause Analysis - Debug GNSS/cellular/Wi-Fi positioning logs to isolate regressions; develop custom analysis scripts and statistical models to quantify impact.

Test Infrastructure - Build and maintain automated test routines and data-analysis pipelines that integrate with existing test harnesses, enabling continuous algorithm regression detection.

Simulation & Scenario Design - Define and manage GNSS constellation simulation scenarios (including multi-frequency, multi-constellation, and assisted modes) for functional, performance, and 3GPP conformance validation.

Metrics & Reporting - Establish quantitative pass/fail criteria and dashboards that track algorithm KPIs (CEP50/95, TTFF distributions, availability) across product lines and OS releases.

Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner closely with algorithm, hardware, and firmware engineers to translate validation findings into actionable algorithm improvements; drive tight-timeline deliverables across teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of the chipset validation lifecycle , from silicon bring-up through production-level algorithm tuning.

Understanding of A-GNSS protocols, multi-constellation processing (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BDS), and sensor-fusion architectures

Experience with genAI in applications to anomaly detection, test-case generation, or automated log analysis.

Ability to read and interpret 3GPP location-service specifications (LPP, SUPL) and translate logs to verify misses against conformance requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting algorithm validation results to cross-functional audiences.

Prior experience in fast-paced, agile environment with the flexibility to pivot quickly to support evolving product requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or equivalent experience.

3+ years of experience in GNSS algorithm testing, positioning validation, or wireless system verification.

Proficiency in Python for data analysis, scripting, and automation

Experience with GNSS simulation equipment (Spirent, LabSat) and RF record-and-playback systems for repeatable algorithm validation.

Solid understanding of positioning accuracy metrics and statistical methods for evaluating algorithm performance.