Qualcomm

Hardware Design Engineer - Sr Staff

Qualcomm$146K — $244K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Computer Science or Electronics Engineering with relevant work experience.
  • 6+ years in Hardware Engineering or related fields (5+ years with Master’s, 4+ years with PhD).
  • Experience in system/card/rack-level development and deployment of enterprise hardware.
  • Proven track record in rack-level system integration and diagnostics.
  • Expertise in PCB design, particularly for PCIe and high-speed interfaces.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design of schematics, PCB layouts, and develop test plans.
  • Co-develop functional specifications for cards and system architectures.
  • Collaborate with teams to support customer-specific hardware needs.
  • Facilitate technical trade-offs between hardware and software designs.
  • Support the architecture and design of various systems including power delivery and thermal management.
  • Participate in developing rack-level AI inference solutions aligned with performance goals.
  • Resolve design issues at multiple system levels.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Annual RSU grants for eligible employees.
  • Comprehensive benefits package supporting well-being at work and home.
  • Commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
  • Accessibility accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Full Job Description
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Engineering

General Summary:
Qualcomm Cloud System Hardware and Validation Engineering develops cutting-edge rack level AI inference solutions for next generation liquid-cooled data centers. As part of its rapid expansion, the team is looking for experienced engineers to join and contribute to the next round of innovative AI products that Qualcomm intends to bring to the market.

Job Overview

Design and develop motherboards/add in cards/modules for Qualcomm new AI System On Chip (SoC)/System In Package (SIP). Primary responsibilities include working with cross functional teams (mechanical, thermal, SI, PTE, regulatory, validation, manufacturing, etc.) for execution of projects from concept to production. Support rack level design and integration of cards, servers and networking switches.

Responsibilities
  • Lead schematics design, PCB layouts, design reviews, component selections, mechanical and thermal designs, and develop test plans.
  • Co-develop functional specifications for systems, cards, sub-systems, and rack-level architectures.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and ODMs to develop and support customer-specific hardware and system requirements.
  • Facilitate consensus on technical trade-offs at hardware, software, and chip design levels.
  • Support architecture and card designs including accelerator SoCs, memory, I/O, power delivery, electrical/mechanical integration, and PCB definition/design.
  • Participate in the design and development of rack-level inference solutions, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and system-level performance goals.
  • Resolve architecture and design issues across system, card, and rack levels.
  • Assist in the bring-up and debugging of hardware systems, cards, and rack-level configurations.
  • Provide technical oversight of factory and manufacturing processes, ensuring quality and consistency across rack-level deployments.
  • Contribute to writing Statements of Work (SOWs) and ODM product requirements; drive technical milestones and deliverables.
  • Coordinate across multiple development sites, including Qualcomm locations and ODM/JDM partners in Taiwan and internationally.
  • Travel to development and customer sites as needed to support rack-level solution deployment and validation.
  • Influence and communicate technical recommendations across disciplines and geographic locations.
  • Coordinate and deliver technical training for ODMs, with a focus on rack-level system integration and deployment.


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:
  • System/card/rack-level development, including architecture, design, validation, and deployment of enterprise-class hardware platforms.


Rack-Level Expertise:
  • Proven experience in rack-level system integration, including chassis, backplane, cabling, airflow, and thermal management across multiple cards/modules.
  • Familiarity with rack-scale power delivery, including PDUs, VRMs, PMICs, and power budgeting across multiple boards.
  • Experience with rack-level diagnostics and bring-up, including debug of interconnects, signal integrity across long traces/cables, and system-level validation.
  • Understanding of rack-level mechanical constraints, EMI shielding, and compliance with data center deployment standards.
  • Collaboration with ODMs/OEMs on rack-level design and manufacturing, including review of mechanical drawings, thermal simulations, and compliance testing.


Board-Level Design:
  • Deep knowledge of PCIe cards, motherboards, daughtercards, and backplane signal and power delivery.
  • Expertise in chassis design, airflow optimization, and thermal management.
  • Solid understanding of system software operation from bootloader to OS and application layers.


Component Qualification:
  • Experience qualifying PMICs, voltage regulators (VRs), clock buffers, flash memory, and connectors for use in complex card and rack-level designs.


Design & Validation:
  • Hands-on experience in dense, high-layer count PCB designs (8-20+ layers).
  • Skilled in PCIe add-in card/module design, debugging in high-performance systems (x86 and ARM).
  • Familiarity with JTAG tools for bring-up and debug.
  • Experience with networking switches and high speed ethernet interfaces


High-Speed Interfaces:
  • Knowledge of high-speed serial I/O (6-10+ Gbps), PCIe Gen5/6, LPDDR4x/5x, DDR4/5, 200/400/800 GbE.
  • Experience with long PCB/cable topologies (0.35-1.5 meter), signal integrity, and compliance with current standards.
  • Ability to debug at packet/protocol level across link, transport, transaction, and command layers.


Memory & Clocking:
  • Experience with LPDDR4x memory technologies, DIMM layout and validation.
  • Expertise in clock distribution, power distribution, SMBus, PMBus, SPI, PWM/Tach, and BMC integration.


Tools & Collaboration:
  • Proficient in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (Cadence Allegro, Mentor Expedition).
  • Experience with circuit simulation tools (SPICE), signal/power integrity analysis.
  • Skilled in using lab equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, SMBus, serial debuggers.
  • Strong collaboration with ODMs on joint designs, schematic/layout reviews, and compliance to Qualcomm design guidelines.


Firmware & Software:
  • Good understanding of x86 FW/SW stack and firmware architecture.
  • Experience with BMC hardware/software integration and management.


Compliance & Testing:
  • Familiarity with regulatory, environmental, and compliance testing for rack-level systems.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master's Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years hardware engineering/Systems development experience or related work experience.
  • 4+ years of experience with circuit design (e.g., digital, analog, RF).
  • 4+ years of experience utilizing schematic capture and circuit simulation software.
  • 4+ years of experience with hardware design and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, debug tools, etc.


Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.

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 [email protected] 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).

To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

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.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$146,400.00 - $244,000.00

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 - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

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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