Qualcomm

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Qualcomm$179K — $268K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, with relevant experience
  • 7+ years of embedded software development or related industry experience
  • Strong expertise in C programming and low-level systems software development
  • In-depth understanding of Linux kernel internals and memory management
  • Experience developing embedded networking software and device drivers
  • Proven leadership in software feature development from analysis to deployment
  • Excellent communication skills with a knack for influencing technical decisions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the architecture and design of high-performance Ethernet networking software solutions
  • Develop embedded networking software, including Ethernet device drivers and Linux kernel features
  • Optimize networking performance for resource-constrained platforms
  • Conduct root-cause analysis and solve complex software/hardware issues
  • Implement AI-assisted development workflows to enhance product delivery
  • Mentor junior engineers in architecture and debugging methodologies
  • Influence technical strategy and architectural decisions for networking software.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program
  • Annual RSU grants opportunity
  • Comprehensive benefits supporting work-life balance
  • Mentoring programs and talent development support
  • Engagement with cross-functional teams for holistic project development.
Full Job Description
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Modem Software Engineering

General Summary:

Qualcomm is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Staff Software Engineer to join our Data Networking Software team. In this role, you will provide technical leadership for the design, development, optimization, and commercialization of high-performance Ethernet networking and data-path software solutions for Qualcomm's Wireless Broadband connectivity, Automotive Infotainment, and Telematics platforms based on Snapdragon and Dragonwing SoCs.

You will lead the design, development, and commercialization of advanced Ethernet networking software features spanning Linux kernel, Ethernet device drivers and embedded networking stacks. This role requires expertise in Ethernet technologies, device drivers, SoC architecture, networking performance, and embedded software systems.

As a technical leader, you will also contribute to strategic software initiatives, influence technology direction, and mentor and supervise other engineers. You will collaborate closely with hardware architects, systems engineers, product management, validation teams, and customer-facing engineering teams to deliver scalable, reliable, and production-quality networking solutions for next-generation automotive and/or connectivity platforms. The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on technical expertise with demonstrated leadership experience, a track record of delivering complex software features, and the ability to influence technical decisions across teams.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Lead the architecture, design, development, and commercialization of Ethernet networking and data-path software features, from concept and requirements definition through production deployment and customer adoption.
  • Lead embedded networking software development tasks, including development of Ethernet MAC drivers, Ethernet switch drivers, integration with networking subsystems software, Linux kernel networking features enablement, and platform integration aspects.
  • Analyze and optimize end-to-end networking performance, including throughput, latency, CPU utilization, memory efficiency, etc. to build and deliver high performance networking solutions on resource constrained embedded platforms.
  • Drive root-cause analysis and resolution of complex system-level issues, working across software and hardware boundaries to identify and resolve functional, reliability, and performance challenges.
  • Leverage, build, and improve AI-assisted development workflows to accelerate delivery time and improve product quality
  • Serve as a technical mentor and leader for engineering staff, providing guidance on architecture, design, debugging and test methodologies to junior staff members.
  • Drive and influence technical strategy and architecture decisions for networking software solutions, balancing performance, scalability, reliability, safety, maintainability, and long-term product roadmap requirements.
  • Participate in and/or lead cross-functional engineering teams to coordinate development efforts across software, hardware, systems, validation, and customer engineering teams.
  • Partner with product management, system architects, and customer engineering teams to translate customer requirements into scalable technical solutions and influence product direction.
  • Own technical execution plans and contribute to roadmap definition for upcoming networking software products.
  • Contribute to long-term technology planning and innovation initiatives, identifying opportunities for new networking capabilities, performance enhancements, and platform differentiation.
  • Support recruiting and talent development efforts, including candidate evaluation, onboarding, mentorship, and development of technical expertise within the organization.


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

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of industry experience in embedded software development, systems software, device driver development, or networking software.
  • Strong expertise in C programming and low-level systems software development.
  • Solid understanding of Linux kernel internals, including Memory management, Interrupt handling, DMA frameworks, Synchronization mechanisms, Device driver architecture and Kernel networking subsystems
  • Experience developing and debugging embedded networking software and device drivers on Linux, QNX, or similar operating systems.
  • Demonstrated experience leading software feature development from requirements analysis through production deployment.
  • Strong debugging and performance analysis skills using tools such as GDB, Perf, Ftrace, Logic analyzers and hardware diagnostics tools.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence technical decisions.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
  • 10+ years of industry experience in embedded systems, networking software, or device driver development.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership experience leading teams, projects, or large-scale software initiatives.
  • Extensive experience developing and debugging embedded networking software and device drivers on Linux, QNX, or similar operating systems.
  • Strong knowledge of networking technologies, including Ethernet, VLANs, Switching and bridging, TCP/IP
  • Deep expertise in Ethernet MAC, switch, PHY, or networking driver development and experience developing advanced networking features.
  • Strong background in networking performance optimization, including CPU efficiency, latency reduction, throughput scaling, and data-path acceleration techniques.
  • Experience contributing to or maintaining Linux upstream kernel networking subsystems.


Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$179,000.00 - $268,400.00

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.

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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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