Qualcomm

Senior Director, Engineering

Qualcomm$251K — $377K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering; Master's preferred.
  • 18+ years in server/data center hardware; 10+ years in leadership.
  • 12+ years of hands-on experience in server and rack design.
  • Deep knowledge of liquid cooling and emerging thermal trends.
  • Proven experience managing hardware operations from NPI to volume ramp.
  • Track record of rack systems deployment in real data centers.
  • Extensive relationships with ODM/OEM partners.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the strategy for multi-generation rack architecture design.
  • Manage relationships with ODM/OEM partners and customers.
  • Drive advancements in thermal and power solutions.
  • Ensure high-volume deployment of rack platforms.
  • Engage with industry standards and represent Qualcomm externally.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for a cohesive platform strategy.

Benefits

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

Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Engineering

General Summary:

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Director to help set the forward-looking strategy across rack architecture design and thermal implementation across new areas and be a part of a core team that helps the organization design, test and deploy across multiple product lines and multiple generations as well as internal test racks. You will help lead the mechanical areas tied to rack design and deployment, interface closely with multiple business units and engineering teams as well as ODM / OEM build, test and scale out. This is the Senior Technical Leader who ensures every generation is designed to be built, cooled, deployed, and serviced in real data centers.

Key Responsibilities
  • Set multi-generation rack strategy: Help lead, scope, design and set the architecture and roadmap for rack-scale platforms across generations, balancing performance, TCO, power, thermal, memory, and serviceability.
  • Own executive ODM/OEM & customer relationships: Be the senior engineering counterpart to ODM/OEM partners and customers - shaping joint roadmaps, design partnerships, and deployment commitments.
  • Drive thermal & power leadership: Set the liquid-cooling and high-density power strategy (direct-to-chip, CDUs, 2Phase DLC, immersion, high-power busbars) and keep Qualcomm ahead of where the industry is heading.
  • Own deployment at scale: Ensure rack platforms move from NPI through validation to reliable, high-volume field deployment; institute operations, RAS, and fleet-health practices that scale.
  • Represent Qualcomm externally: Engage in industry standards (e.g., OCP) and represent the rack platform strategy with customers, partners, and executives.
  • Align the enterprise: Partner across silicon, software, networking, supply chain, operations, product, and finance to deliver a coherent, buildable, deployable platform strategy.


Minimum Requirements
  • Education: bachelor's degree in an approved engineering field - Mechanical, Thermal, HW Engineering (or a closely related engineering discipline). Master's degree is preferred.
  • Experience: Around 18+ years in server/data center hardware and rack-scale systems, including 10+ years in engineering leadership - with proven experience leading others.
  • Server-space rack design (hands-on): 12+ years of direct, hands-on industry experience designing server and rack-level hardware - mechanical/electrical/thermal integration, power distribution, cabling/interconnect, and full rack assembly - not adjacent or purely managerial exposure.
  • Liquid cooling & emerging trends: Deep working knowledge of direct-to-chip / cold-plate liquid cooling, coolant distribution (CDUs, manifolds, blind-mate connectors), rear-door heat exchangers, and immersion - plus a clear point of view on where high-density thermal, power, and rack trends are heading.
  • Operations experience: Proven ownership of hardware operations - NPI-to-volume ramp, quality, RAS, serviceability, sustaining engineering, and fleet-health practices for systems running in production.
  • Deployment experience: Track record taking rack-scale systems from bring-up and integration through validation to at-scale field deployment in real data centers, anticipating fleet-level issues before they happen.
  • ODM/OEM partnership: Extensive, close working relationships with ODMs and OEMs across the server/rack ecosystem - joint design (JDM), manufacturing readiness, BOM and supply alignment, and executive-level partner management.
  • Scale & scope: Demonstrated ownership of a rack/platform roadmap or engineering function delivering products deployed at scale with external manufacturing partners and major customers.
  • Executive influence: Excellent executive communication, negotiation, and cross-organizational leadership; able to align engineering, operations, and business stakeholders on strategy and commitments.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Deep OCP ecosystem involvement (ORV3 / Open Rack Wide, rack & power working groups) and standards leadership.
  • Experience building or scaling a data center rack/platform business or function.
  • Experience with AI/accelerator or GPU rack infrastructure at hyperscale, and with sovereign-AI or neocloud deployments.
  • Familiarity with high-speed connectivity / SerDes, chiplets, PCIe and Ethernet fabrics, and confidential computing.


What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)
  • A published multi-generation rack platform roadmap aligned with silicon, software, and customer commitments.
  • Executive ODM/OEM and key-customer partnerships operating on a predictable design-and-deploy cadence.
  • A scaled, high-performing rack systems strategy across cooling technologies, roadmaps and deployment for test and potential scale.
  • Development of E2E cooling analysis / fluid mechanics processes & tools from Facilities to POD to Rack to SoC.


Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 10+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 9+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 8+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$251,700.00 - $377,500.00

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.

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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.

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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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