Qualcomm

DSP Application Engineer, Staff

Qualcomm$108K — $158K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Computer Science or Electrical/Electronics Engineering.
  • 5-7 years of experience in semiconductor, networking, or optical communications.
  • Familiar with PAM4 signaling and SerDes architectures.
  • Skilled in using test equipment like oscilloscopes and BERTs.
  • Proficient in Python or MATLAB for automation and data analysis.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary technical contact for integrating DSP-enabled products.
  • Support customers through evaluation to production deployment.
  • Assist with system bring-up and performance optimization.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to resolve issues and enhance product quality.
  • Create technical documentation and deployment guidelines.
  • Perform system-level debug involving multiple subsystems.
  • Participate in compliance and interoperability testing activities.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Opportunity for annual RSU grants.
  • Comprehensive benefits package to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Company:
Qualcomm Canada ULC

Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Engineering

General Summary:

As a Qualcomm Hardware Engineer, you will plan, design, optimize, verify, and test electronic systems, bring-up yield, circuits, mechanical systems, Digital/Analog/RF/optical systems, equipment and packaging, test systems, FPGA, and/or DSP systems that launch cutting-edge, world class products. Qualcomm Hardware Engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop solutions and meet performance requirements. New Position

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.

Staff DSP Application Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a Staff DSP Application Engineer to support customer adoption and deployment of next-generation DSP solutions in Optical Transceivers and Active Electrical Cables (AEC) for AI and cloud infrastructure. In this customer-facing role, you will work closely with customers, product management, system architects, and engineering teams to enable high-speed connectivity solutions supporting 100G/lane, 200G/lane, and emerging 400G/lane PAM4 technologies.

You will provide technical expertise throughout the product lifecycle, helping customers successfully integrate, validate, and deploy Qualcomm DSP-enabled connectivity solutions in AI clusters, networking systems, and data center environments.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Engagement & Technical Support
  • Serve as a primary technical contact for customers integrating DSP-enabled Optical Transceiver and AEC products.
  • Support customer engagements from evaluation and qualification through production deployment.
  • Assist customers with system bring-up, feature enablement, interoperability testing, and performance optimization.
  • Collaborate with internal engineering teams to resolve customer issues and improve overall product quality.
  • Develop strong technical relationships with customer engineering teams and provide timely issue resolution.

Optical DSP & AEC Application Support
  • Support integration of Optical Transceiver and AEC solutions into switches, NICs, GPUs, AI accelerators, and server platforms.
  • Assist customers in optimizing PAM4 link performance across electrical and optical channels.
  • Develop technical documentation, application notes, reference configurations, and deployment guidelines.
  • Work with product management and engineering teams to provide customer feedback on product features and future requirements.

System Validation & Debug
  • Perform system-level debug involving DSPs, SerDes, firmware, optical modules, PCB channels, PMICs, and clocking subsystems.
  • Analyze signal integrity and link performance using eye diagrams, BER measurements, jitter analysis, and equalization settings.
  • Support characterization and validation activities in both lab and customer environments.
  • Participate in IEEE 802.3 compliance and interoperability testing activities.
  • Assist in root-cause analysis for customer-reported issues and identify corrective actions.


What You'll Need:
  • BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 5 to 7 years of experience in semiconductor, networking, optical communications, or high-speed connectivity technologies.
  • Good understanding of PAM4 signaling, SerDes architectures, equalization techniques, and Ethernet connectivity.
  • Knowledge of optical communication systems and high-speed interconnect technologies.
  • Experience using high-speed test equipment including oscilloscopes, BERTs, VNAs, and related measurement instruments.
  • Experience with Python, MATLAB, or scripting languages for automation and data analysis.
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally (up to 15%).


Preferred Qualifications
  • Understanding of optical transceiver architectures including lasers, EMLs, silicon photonics, photodiodes, drivers, and TIAs.
  • Experience with optical module validation, characterization, or manufacturing support.
  • Familiarity with IEEE Ethernet standards and compliance testing methodologies.
  • Knowledge of DSP equalization techniques including CTLE, FFE, DFE, and adaptive equalization.
  • Experience supporting data center, networking, switch, or hyperscale cloud customers.
  • Understanding of signal integrity fundamentals and channel characterization techniques.


Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$108,800.00 - $158,800.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm Ventures is the investment arm of Qualcomm Incorporated. Founded in 2000, Qualcomm Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund with over 150 active portfolio companies and more than 20 exits over a billion dollars, including 99 Taxis, Cruise Automation, Fitbit, Invensense, NQ Mobile, Waze, and more. As a global investor, Qualcomm Ventures helps connect entrepreneurs to the resources, relationships, and deep industry expertise they need to succeed in the mobile technology ecosystem.

Qualcomm Careers

Joining Qualcomm offers more than just a job opportunity; it's a gateway to a career infused with innovation, leadership, and growth. As a pivotal leader in the world of wireless technology, Qualcomm stands at the forefront of digital communication advancements. Our team of professionals is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, making this an ideal time to become part of our global community.

Work You’ll Do

At Qualcomm, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, engaging in work that transforms the way the world connects, computes, and communicates. Our diverse team is driven by a shared passion for creating path-breaking wireless technologies that empower mobile ecosystems worldwide.

Innovate and Grow

Embrace the opportunity to innovate alongside leaders in the field and contribute to projects that have a global impact. Qualcomm is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Professional Growth and Development

Qualcomm is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees, offering unparalleled benefits, diverse career paths, and extensive training programs that encourage professional and personal development. Whether you're looking for leadership roles or specialized technical positions, Qualcomm provides the resources and support to help you drive your career forward.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce fuels our innovation and reflects our commitment to making a positive impact. Qualcomm’s inclusive culture and diversity training programs are designed to promote an environment where all employees can thrive.

Internship Programs

Start your career with Qualcomm through our dynamic internship programs. These opportunities allow you to apply your skills in real-world scenarios, providing a robust foundation for future employment. Internships at Qualcomm are characterized by meaningful projects and the chance to network with industry leaders.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous job opportunities at Qualcomm, from engineering to marketing, and discover how your skills and interests align with our mission. We are continuously hiring creative and driven individuals who are ready to contribute to our culture of innovation.

Prepare for Your Interview

Ready to join our team? Prepare your resume to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Our interview process is designed to understand your capabilities and how they align with our goals at Qualcomm. We look for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to take the next step in their careers.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Qualcomm by following our careers blog. Gain insider perspectives and industry-leading insights that can help you navigate your professional journey.

Career Opportunities Await

At Qualcomm, your career is what you make of it. With support for your ambitions and a network of global professionals, the opportunities to advance and excel are nearly limitless. Join us and be part of a team that’s leading the world in next-generation technology.

Search Qualcomm Jobs

Discover the positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for individuals who are ready to make an impact and excel in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Explore Qualcomm Careers

Whether you're seeking an internship, a first job, or a leadership position, Qualcomm offers a range of opportunities across various disciplines. Let your career journey begin here, where innovation, leadership, and growth come together to create extraordinary outcomes.
Learn more about Qualcomm
Size
45,000 employees
Market Cap
$122.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.7 billion
Founded
1985
5 Year Trend
+14.7%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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