Qualcomm is seeking a Lead Engineer to drive platform software development, subsystem integration, technical execution, and system optimization for next-generation SoC products. The role requires broad expertise across Linux, Android, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, DSP, GPU, modem, connectivity, power management, and AI-enabled systems, combined with the ability to lead engineers and influence technical direction.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader capable of solving complex cross-functional system challenges while driving execution across multiple engineering disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
Lead platform bring-up, subsystem integration, and software enablement across multiple product programs.
Drive root-cause analysis and resolution of complex issues spanning hardware, firmware, kernel, middleware, and application layers.
Own delivery of critical platform capabilities and subsystem features.
Optimize platform behavior across power, performance, memory, thermal, reliability, and user experience metrics.
Lead investigations involving CPU, DSP, GPU, memory, storage, interconnects, clocks, regulators, thermal management, and connectivity subsystems.
Drive customer issue resolution and support key product milestones.
Partner with silicon, firmware, software, validation, and product teams to deliver scalable platform solutions.
Technical Leadership
Provide technical leadership across Linux, Android, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, DSP, GPU, modem, connectivity, PMIC, power management, and AI/ML accelerators.
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Drive architecture discussions and technical trade-offs across performance, power, cost, schedule, reliability, and product requirements.
Lead system-level debugging using instrumentation, tracing, profiling, and cross-subsystem analysis.
Establish best practices for observability, performance analysis, and reliability engineering.
Mentor engineers on architecture, debugging methodologies, and software engineering practices.
Champion AI-assisted engineering workflows to improve productivity and software quality.
Program Execution
Own execution of subsystem and platform-level deliverables.
Drive technical planning, risk assessment, and mitigation activities.
Coordinate execution across software, firmware, validation, and hardware teams.
Lead critical bug triage, readiness reviews, and commercialization efforts.
Provide technical status, execution updates, and risk assessments to leadership.
People & Team Leadership
Provide day-to-day technical leadership for engineering teams.
Mentor engineers and support technical growth and career development.
Drive engineering excellence through design reviews, code reviews, and debugging best practices.
Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Support hiring and onboarding of engineering talent.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as a key technical interface for customers and internal stakeholders.
Lead customer debugging sessions, technical reviews, and escalation management.
Partner with product and program teams to align technical and business priorities.
Communicate technical risks, trade-offs, and recommendations to leadership and customers.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
Experience in embedded systems, BSP, RTOS, Linux, Android, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, firmware, kernel, or platform software engineering.
Strong expertise in platform architecture, subsystem integration, debugging, and performance optimization.
Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives across multiple engineering disciplines.
Strong C/C++ programming skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Deep understanding of modern SoCs including DSP, GPU, modem, Wi-Fi, connectivity, PMIC, power management, and AI accelerator subsystems.
Experience with Linux, Android, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, heterogeneous computing, subsystem integration, and performance optimization.
Expertise in platform bring-up, power optimization, performance tuning, crash analysis, and reliability engineering.
Strong understanding of profiling, tracing, observability, and advanced debugging methodologies.
Experience leading customer-facing debug activities and product escalations.
Hands-on use of AI-assisted engineering tools including Claude Code, Claude CLI, GitHub Copilot, MCP agents, and automated engineering workflows.
Strong architectural mindset with the ability to balance performance, power, cost, schedule, and product requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 1+ year of Software Engineering or related work experience.
2+ years of academic or work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Applicants: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
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If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
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