Senior Engineer/Lead - Layer 1 (PHY) Firmware Engineer – 5G NR gNodeB

Qualcomm; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm India Private Limited is seeking an experienced staff-level Layer-1 (PHY) firmware engineer to advance 5G NR gNodeB PHY development. You will work across PHY channels and optimization of real-time processing within embedded Linux environments.

Collaborating with PHY, RF, platform, and system teams, you will implement and tune channel estimation, HARQ, LDPC/Polar coding, and MIMO/beaming while ensuring tight latency budgets in carrier-grade networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree + 4+ years Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• Master's degree + 3+ years Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD + 2+ years Systems Engineering or related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Layer-1 (PHY) firmware for 5G NR gNodeB.
• Work on uplink and downlink PHY channels: PUSCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, PDCCH, PRACH, SRS, SSB.
• Implement and optimize signal processing algorithms: Channel estimation/equalization, HARQ, MIMO/beaming.
• Work on FEC processing: Turbo coding/decoding, LDPC/Polar coding.
• Optimize real-time performance for latency and throughput.
• Integrate PHY software with MAC/RF/hardware platforms.
• Debug complex PHY-level and real-time issues.

Skills

Layer-1 / PHY firmware development

C/C++ programming

Embedded systems

LTE / 5G NR

3GPP PHY specifications

Real-time systems

OFDM / SC-FDMA

HARQ / link adaptation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Information Systems / Computer Science

Master's degree in Engineering / Information Systems / CS

PhD in Engineering / Information Systems / CS

Tools

Embedded Linux

RTOS

DSP-based systems

Job description

Company

Qualcomm India Private Limited

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Systems Engineering

General Summary

We are hiring an experienced staff level - Layer‑1 (Physical Layer) Firmware Engineer to work on 5G NR gNodeB Firmware. This role focuses on PHY development on the DU side, building high‑performance, real‑time wireless software used in modern cellular networks.

You will work closely with PHY, RF, platform, and system teams to develop and optimize carrier‑grade NR PHY features.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain Layer‑1 (PHY) firmware for 5G NR gNodeB
• Work on uplink and downlink PHY channels, including:
  • PUSCH
  • PDSCH
  • PUCCH
  • PDCCH
  • PRACH
  • SRS
  • SSB
• Implement and optimize signal processing algorithms such as:
  • Channel estimation and equalization
  • HARQ processing
  • MIMO and beamforming
• Work on FEC processing:
  • Turbo coding/decoding (LTE)
  • LDPC and Polar coding/decoding (5G NR)
• Optimize real‑time performance for latency and throughput
• Integrate PHY software with MAC, RF, and hardware platforms
• Debug complex PHY‑level and real‑time issues

Required Skills

What We’re Looking For

• 5-8 years of strong experience in Layer‑1 / PHY firmware development
• Hands‑on experience with LTE and/or 5G NR
• Solid understanding of 3GPP PHY specifications
• Strong C/C++ programming skills
• Experience working on real‑time or embedded systems
• Good understanding of:
  • OFDM / SC‑FDMA
  • Numerologies and frame structures
  • HARQ and link adaptation

Nice to Have

• Experience with gNodeB / eNodeB PHY software
• Exposure to FAPI / nFAPI or similar PHY‑MAC interfaces
• Experience with massive MIMO or beamforming
• Knowledge of O‑RAN or split‑PHY architectures
• Background in DSP or wireless signal processing
• Experience with NB‑IoT, NTN, or advanced NR PHY features

Tools & Technologies

• Programming: C, C++
• Platforms: Embedded Linux, RTOS, DSP‑based systems
• Standards: 3GPP LTE & 5G NR
• Domains: PHY, real‑time systems, wireless signal processing

Why Join Us

• Work on cutting‑edge 5G NR technology
• Build performance‑critical PHY software used in real networks
• Collaborate with highly experienced wireless and systems engineers
• Opportunity to work on next‑generation RAN architectures

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.

OR

Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.

OR

PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.

Applicants

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail [e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.