Qualcomm

VP, Software Product Management - Mobile Handset

Qualcomm$272K — $408K *
Consumer Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  • 15 years of Software Product Management or related technical experience.
  • 6 years of leadership experience.
  • 4 years working in a large matrixed organization.
  • 2 years of experience managing operating budgets or project financials.
  • 2 years of experience negotiating third-party business agreements.

Responsibilities

  • Set and lead the software strategy for Mobile Handsets, emphasizing AI's role in competitive advantage.
  • Embed software strategy into business decisions, incorporating financial, legal, and market aspects.
  • Engage with internal executives and stakeholders to support and execute long-term strategies.
  • Establish business and technical goals to ensure the group's success.
  • Collaborate with top customers and their leaders to position Qualcomm as an industry innovator.
  • Lead the development of scalable software architectures across the organization.
  • Provide cross-functional leadership to build consensus in a complex organizational structure.

Benefits

  • Highly competitive benefits designed to support work-life balance.
  • Opportunities for a competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Eligibility for annual RSU grants based on job level.
  • Access to comprehensive resources supporting success at work and home.
Full Job Description
Job Area:
Operations Group, Operations Group > Product Management

General Summary:

The successful candidate will lead software product management for Qualcomm's largest business: Mobile Handsets, with a strong emphasis on AI. The scope spans collection of market requirements, creating product specifications, overseeing execution, and mobile platform strategy development, all at a large, global scale.

CORE DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

Software Execution & Delivery
  • Define and manage handset software requirements for OEMs (e.g., Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi)
  • Software baselining across chipsets and SKUs
  • Kernel strategy, verification, and quality of release (KOR)
  • Qualcomm delivery execution at massive scale


Platform Expansion & Ecosystem Enablement
  • Extend the handset platform with richer capabilities (e.g., ArcSoft, ecosystem partners)
  • Bring external technologies into the Qualcomm platform
  • Drive platform extensibility across the broader ecosystem


Future Vision & Software Strategy
  • Define long-term software direction (security, Agentic AI, new paradigms)
  • Evaluate build/buy/acquire decisions needed to get there
  • Shape roadmap for next-generation mobile software solutions


Responsibilities include:
  • Set and lead the software strategy for Mobile Handsets, with a clear point of view on how AI and software drive competitive advantage.
  • Embed software strategy into business decision making, with working knowledge of financial implications, legal considerations, and go-to-market tradeoffs.
  • Ability to work closely with internal executives and key stakeholders to gain support and execute long-term plans
  • Establish key business and technical goals to drive success of the group
  • Identify and work closely with top customers and their executives to establish Qualcomm as an innovative leader in the industry
  • Lead and influence the development of scalable software architectures
  • Provide cross-functional leadership and influence across product management, engineering, and business unit teams, building consensus in a highly matrixed organization.


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  • Fifteen (15) years of Software Product Management or related technical work experience.
  • Six (6) years of leadership experience.
  • Four (4) years of working in a large matrixed organization.
  • Two (2) years of working with operating budgets and/or project financials.
  • Two (2) years of negotiating 3rd party business agreements.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Twenty (20) or more years of related professional experience in technology and software product management.
  • Ten (10) years of leadership experience.
  • Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or Engineering, or a related technical field of study.
  • Deep software domain credibility spanning system software, platforms, and developer enablement-sufficient to earn trust with senior architects and engineering leaders.
  • Strong understanding of mobile computing systems, including how CPU, GPU, and NPU capabilities come together in real-world software solutions.
  • Fluency in modern AI systems and platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, and related toolchains), with the ability to translate AI trends into platform strategy.
  • Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder software initiatives with enterprise-level impact.
  • Strong executive presence, influence, and communication skills-able to align disparate teams and priorities.
  • Business acumen, including comfort engaging on financial, legal, and ecosystem considerations.
  • Willingness to travel internationally as needed.
  • Mandarin fluency is a plus, reflecting the global nature of the mobile ecosystem.
  • Skilled at operating in a complex, cross-functional organization or company where your teams need to collaborate and integrate with other teams across many disciplines.
  • Deep understanding of key macro trends in the industry.


In addition to experience, the successful candidate will have demonstrated competencies in the following areas:

Strategic Execution: Ensures execution plan drives key strategic priorities and company goals; has significant impact on the direction of a large number of critical projects. Drives timely, complex, and strategic decisions that have a global reach and/or significant business or financial impact while adhering to Qualcomm standards of ethical behavior.

Coaching & Development: Provides leadership across organizations (e.g., creates a strategy for organization development, develops a strong talent pipeline/workforce and drives talent development to execute present and future business priorities, sets clear expectations for departments, drives coaching and mentoring relationships, creates a culture of inclusion and learning) and motivates peers, senior leaders, and employees to align individual, team, department, and organization development with the broader vision and goals of the company.

Impactful Innovation: Inspires stakeholders, the company culture, and the industry with a visionary approach that shapes the organization by introducing and enabling breakthrough ideas, products, and/or processes. Creates new business opportunities by challenging the organization to push boundaries while taking the appropriate risk and anticipating future needs to transform the product category to new industry standards.

Clear Communication: Translates the strategic vision into succinct and impactful messages that inspires and connects efforts to the broader vision and goals of the company. Acts as a champion for proactive, open, respectful, and inclusive

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$272,100.00 - $408,100.00

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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