Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Server Development

Qualcomm; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm is seeking a Principal Engineer to drive Linux kernel features for Arm-based Server SoCs. The ideal candidate will lead technical projects aligning hardware and software, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

This role requires 17+ years of experience in Linux kernel development and significant contributions to kernel subsystems. Collaborations with cross-functional teams and engagement with open-source communities are crucial elements of this position.

Qualifications

• 17+ years of experience in Linux kernel development.
• Deep understanding of kernel subsystems like memory management and device drivers.
• Proven experience with upstreaming patches and working with the Linux kernel community.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of Linux kernel features for server SoCs.
• Drive upstream contributions to the mainline Linux kernel.
• Collaborate with hardware and firmware teams to enable new SoC features.

Skills

Linux kernel development

Arm architecture

Debugging skills

Kernel subsystems

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

ftrace

perf

kgdb

Job description

Company

Qualcomm India Private Limited

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Systems Engineering

General Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Principal Engineer to lead, execute & contribute to the design, development, and upstreaming of Linux kernel features for our next-generation Arm-based Server SoCs. This role is ideal for a hands‑on technical leader who thrives at the intersection of hardware and software, and is passionate about building robust, scalable, and high‑performance Linux platforms for data center and cloud infrastructure. You will play a critical role in defining kernel architecture, working on new hardware features, and ensuring compliance with industry standards such as Arm SystemReady SR, BSA, SBSA, and BBR.

Key Responsibilities

• Part of architecture and development of Linux kernel features for Armv8/v9-based server SoCs.
• Drive upstream contributions to the mainline Linux kernel, ensuring long‑term maintainability and community alignment.
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and platform teams to enable new SoC features (e.g., RAS, SMMU, GIC, ACPI).
• Work with ACPI, coresight, debug infrastructure for large‑scale server platforms.
• Hands‑on with active contributions; community engagement is a plus.
• Develop and maintain kernel drivers, subsystems, and board support packages (BSPs).
• Guide integration of compliance test suites such as FWTS, BSA‑ACS, SBSA‑ACS, and SystemReady SR validation tools.
• Lead kernel bring‑up on new silicon and virtual platforms.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical reviews, design documentation, and architectural decisions.
• Represent the company in open‑source communities and industry working groups.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 17+ years of experience in Linux kernel development with a strong focus on Arm architecture.
• Deep understanding and contributions to kernel subsystems such as memory management, scheduler, device drivers, power management, and interrupt handling.
• Proven experience in upstreaming patches and working with the Linux kernel community.
• Familiarity with server‑class SoC features: NUMA, RAS, ACPI, PCIe, CXL, and secure boot.
• Experience with platform enablement and compliance validation (e.g., SystemReady SR, FWTS, ACS).
• Strong debugging skills using tools like ftrace, perf, kgdb, crash, and kernel logs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with virtualization (KVM, Xen) and container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Contributions to open‑source projects or maintainership of kernel subsystems.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for kernel testing and validation.
• Knowledge of firmware interfaces (UEFI, ACPI, Devicetree) and bootloaders (U‑Boot, EDK2).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualcomm is an equal‑opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑[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.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.