Qualcomm

Senior Director, Handset Technology Product Manager

Qualcomm$237K — $356K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  • 15+ years of experience in semiconductor, mobile platform, system architecture, product management, or related fields.
  • Deep technical knowledge in multiple mobile technology domains including CPU, GPU, AI, camera, multimedia, and mobile architecture.
  • Demonstrated success leading large cross-functional initiatives across engineering organizations.
  • Proven ability to define and drive execution of complex technical requirements.
  • Strong analytical, systems-thinking, and leadership capabilities.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Identify and analyze emerging mobile use cases in areas like AI, gaming, and XR.
  • Translate customer and OEM requirements into strategic technology directions.
  • Drive technology planning to support differentiated mobile experiences.
  • Convert end-user experiences into measurable technical requirements.
  • Establish usage models, workloads, and success metrics for engineering teams.
  • Coordinate solutions for technology gaps across engineering organizations.
  • Engage with OEMs and partners to gather insights on market needs.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Opportunity for annual RSU grants.
  • Comprehensive benefits package to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Job Area:
Operations Group, Operations Group > Product Management

General Summary:

Qualcomm is seeking a highly experienced Director or Senior Director to join the Handset Technology Product Management team to help drive the definition of next-generation mobile experiences across Snapdragon platforms.

This role requires a technical and strategic leader responsible for identifying emerging mobile use cases, translating customer and market needs into actionable technology requirements, and driving alignment across multiple IP and engineering organizations. The successful candidate will work across CPU, GPU, AI/NPU, Camera, Multimedia, Connectivity, Memory, I/O, System Architecture, and Software teams to ensure our technology investments and IP roadmaps create the experiences that matter most to mobile users and OEM partners.

This position requires a rare combination of deep technical expertise, system-level thinking, product strategy, and execution leadership. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of solving complex cross-functional problems, influencing large engineering organizations, and independently driving initiatives from concept through implementation with minimal oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Define Future Mobile Experiences and Technology Direction
  • Identify and analyze emerging mobile use cases spanning AI, multimodal experiences, gaming, imaging, content creation, productivity, ambient computing, XR, and next-generation user interfaces.
  • Develop a deep understanding of customer and OEM requirements and translate them into long-term platform and IP investment strategies.
  • Drive handset technology planning by ensuring architectural decisions support differentiated mobile experiences


Drive Cross-IP Requirements and Architecture Alignment
  • Convert complex end-user experiences into measurable technical requirements across multiple technology domains.
  • Develop cross-functional requirements that span CPU, GPU, NPU, Camera, Multimedia, Memory, Connectivity, Security, and Software organizations.
  • Establish end-to-end usage models, workloads, KPIs, and success criteria that guide engineering execution.
  • Identify technology gaps and coordinate solutions across multiple engineering teams and organizations.


Drive Mobile-Focused IP Development
  • Partner with architecture, product management, and engineering teams to ensure future IP development is aligned to real-world mobile workloads and customer needs.
  • Drive alignment between long-term technology investments and handset product requirements.
  • Influence IP roadmaps through quantitative workload analysis, system-level bottleneck identification, and competitive assessments.
  • Work with the technology product management and engineering teams to define mobile use cases for early technology planning, architecture reviews, and roadmap development.


Lead Complex Cross-Technology Initiatives
  • Define and drive strategic initiatives that require collaboration across multiple engineering disciplines and business units.
  • Facilitate technical decision-making among stakeholders with competing priorities.
  • Build consensus around architectural tradeoffs, investment priorities, and feature roadmaps.
  • Navigate ambiguity and independently drive programs to completion.


Customer and Ecosystem Engagement
  • Engage directly with OEMs, ecosystem partners, developers, and internal business leaders to understand future market needs.
  • Distill customer feedback into actionable requirements and technology opportunities.
  • Serve as a technical representative during executive reviews and strategic customer discussions.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  • 15+ years of experience in semiconductor, mobile platform, system architecture, product management, or related fields.
  • Deep technical understanding across multiple mobile technology domains including:
    • CPU architecture and performance
    • GPU and gaming technologies
    • AI accelerators and machine learning systems
    • Camera and computational imaging
    • Multimedia and media processing
    • Mobile system architecture
    • Memory and I/O subsystems
    • Power, performance, and thermal optimization
    • Mobile software and operating systems
  • Demonstrated success leading large cross-functional initiatives involving multiple engineering organizations.
  • Proven ability to define technical requirements that span multiple technology teams and drive execution to completion.
  • Strong analytical and systems-thinking capabilities.
  • Track record of influencing senior leadership and technical stakeholders without direct authority.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
  • Advanced business acumen (e.g., MBA or equivalent experience) is highly desirable.
  • Experience working directly with mobile OEMs or ecosystem partners.
  • Experience influencing semiconductor architecture and IP roadmaps.
  • Expertise in mobile AI, agentic systems, computational photography, gaming technologies, or future mobile user experiences.
  • Demonstrated success driving technology strategy for complex mobile platforms.
  • Experience conducting competitive analysis, workload characterization, or use-case-driven architecture planning.


Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of Product Management or related work experience.

*Completed advanced degrees in a relevant field may be substituted for up to two years (Master's = one year, Doctorate = two years) of work experience.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$237,800.00 - $356,800.00

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 - 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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