“Apple may be considering adding a radio to the iPod, a feature that 37 per cent of Macworld readers were calling for back in October 2003. The iPod Division is looking to recruit a RF Hardware Engineer,” Macworld UK reports.
From Apple’s employment listing:
Title: RF Hardware Engineer – iPod
Req. ID: 2171396
Location: Santa Clara Valley, California
Country: United States
The iPod Division is looking for an RF hardware engineer. This person will work as a member of a cross-functional team responsible for design, implementation, and system integration. Needs to have knowledge of communication circuits and interest in physical principles utilized in modern radio communication devices, thorough knowledge of modulation methods, coding, compression or encryption. Also essential is a working knowledge of EM fields and antennas as applied to radio communication devices.
Additional consideration will be given to experience with standard wireless protocols. Duties include system simulation including channel impairments and interference, schematic capture, guidance of PCB design, prototype bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, signal characterization, and manufacturing support. Assist and track progress of groups who qualify the product such as Reliability, EMC, Certification and Safety. The candidate will be responsible for transitioning product to manufacturing and this may involve international travel to manufacturing sites.
Required Experience:
* BSEE required; MSEE desired
* 5+ years experience in RF hardware design.
* Agency (FCC) qualification experience.
Preferred Experience:
* Consumer electronics experience.
* Experience shipping mass production products.
Details of all jobs at Apple can be found here.