Qualcomm

Sr. System Software Engineer - Power

Qualcomm • $117K — $176K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field and 1-2 years of experience in Software Engineering, or a PhD with no prior experience.
  • 2+ years of programming experience in languages such as C, C++, Java, or Python.
  • Strong foundation in computer architecture and system design, covering memory management, CPU/GPU architectures, and OS fundamentals.
  • Proven expertise in embedded software development, particularly with firmware and Linux kernel.
  • Understanding of electrical engineering principles, low-power design fundamentals, and power-saving techniques.

Responsibilities

  • Drive end-to-end power optimization by collaborating with various teams to deepen understanding of power architectures and techniques.
  • Define and prototype new power features using pre-silicon platforms and oversee their transition to post-silicon validation and productization.
  • Own post-silicon power KPI execution, including debugging and optimization across hardware/software boundaries.
  • Conduct software trade-off analyses through rapid prototyping and real workload studies to evaluate design alternatives.
  • Identify optimization opportunities in firmware and system algorithms to align with evolving hardware architectures.
  • Contribute to power debug and analysis infrastructure to enhance efficiency and quality across platforms.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Eligibility for annual RSU grants.
  • Comprehensive benefits package to support work-life balance.
  • Additional support for career success and development.
  • Access to a variety of employee wellness programs.
Full Job Description
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering

General Summary:

Qualcomm's Systems Software Power team is seeking a Power Systems Software Engineer who is passionate about solving complex power challenges and developing innovative solutions to optimize power efficiency for next-generation Snapdragon platforms.

In this role, the engineer will have a unique opportunity to learn, contribute, and directly influence the full lifecycle of mobile SoC power consumption, spanning system-level hardware and software power architecture and design, modeling and measurement, post-silicon debug and analysis, feature optimization, and eventual commercialization of best-in-class power solutions across Qualcomm products.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 1+ year of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
• 2+ years of academic or work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Responsibilities:
  • Drive end-to-end power optimization by working across architecture, hardware, firmware, kernel, Android, and system software teams to develop deep expertise in power architectures, control loops, and advanced low-power techniques across use-cases and targets
  • Define, prototype, and evaluate new power features early, leveraging pre-silicon platforms (emulation, models, trace-based studies) and carrying them through post-silicon bring-up, validation, and productization
  • Own post-silicon power KPI execution (Day-of-Use (Battery Life), game and multimedia use-cases), including root-cause debug, power walks, correlation, and systematic optimization across HW/SW boundaries
  • Perform software trade-off analysis using rapid prototyping, experiments, and trace-driven studies to assess alternative scheduler, DVFS, low-power mode, and system-level design choices under real workloads.
  • Identify and deliver power optimization opportunities by tuning or developing firmware, Linux kernel, and system algorithms (e.g., scheduler, LPMs, bus/DDR scaling, SoC power state transitions) aligned with evolving hardware architectures.
  • Contribute to and scale power debug, analysis, and automation infrastructure, including power telemetry, tooling, and AI-assisted workflows, to improve execution velocity, coverage, and quality across platforms and geographies.


Skills/Experience
  • Strong foundation in computer architecture and system design, including memory management and hierarchies, CPU/GPU architectures, and operating system fundamentals such as processes, threads, and scheduling.
  • Proven embedded software development expertise, with the ability to design and implement moderately complex systems software; hands-on experience with firmware and Linux kernel development is required.
  • Solid understanding of electrical engineering and digital logic fundamentals; familiarity with low-power design principles and power-saving techniques is a strong plus.
  • Effective communicator and collaborative team player, capable of working independently while contributing productively in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary environments.


Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$117,800.00 - $176,600.00

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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