Staff Engineer – Wi-Fi MAC Firmware & Datapath

QUALCOMM, Inc.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm India Private Limited is seeking a senior wireless firmware architect to lead architecture, development, optimization, and productization of low-power Wi-Fi MAC firmware and datapath. You will drive performance, power management, and system integration across multiple wireless products.

You will define MAC firmware architecture, implement features for 802.11ax/ac/n platforms, optimize TX/RX datapaths, and mentor engineers while driving engineering excellence.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in engineering or related field required.
• 10+ years of wireless networking and embedded firmware experience.
• Strong expertise in Wi‑Fi MAC protocols and architecture.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and firmware debugging tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive Wi-Fi MAC firmware and datapath architecture.
• Design and implement Wi-Fi MAC features for 802.11ax/ac/n platforms.
• Develop and optimize TX/RX datapaths, packet scheduling, buffer management, and DMA flows.
• Drive power optimization initiatives including TWT, U-APSD, DCVS, and sleep-state management.
• Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of connectivity, throughput, latency, coexistence, and power issues.
• Strong experience in debugging FW issues due to MAC HW configurations
• Establish debugging frameworks, performance instrumentation, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across projects.

Skills

Wi-Fi MAC

C/C++

Firmware debugging

Power optimization

Embedded systems

Networking protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Master's degree in Engineering/CS

PhD in Engineering/CS

Tools

Debugging tools

Job description

Company:

Qualcomm India Private Limited

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering

General Summary:

Lead the architecture, development, optimization, and productization of low-power Wi-Fi MAC firmware and Datapath. Drive technical innovation, system performance and execution across multiple wireless connectivity products.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive Wi-Fi MAC firmware and datapath architecture.
• Design and implement Wi-Fi MAC features for 802.11ax/ac/n platforms.
• Develop and optimize TX/RX datapaths, packet scheduling, buffer management, and DMA flows.
• Drive power optimization initiatives including TWT, U-APSD, DCVS, and sleep-state management.
• Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of connectivity, throughput, latency, coexistence, and power issues.
• Strong experience in debugging FW issues due to MAC HW configurations
• Establish debugging frameworks, performance instrumentation, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across projects.

Required Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 10+ years of wireless networking and embedded firmware development experience.
• Strong expertise in Wi-Fi MAC protocols and architecture.
• Deep understanding of embedded systems, real-time firmware, and networking protocols.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and firmware debugging tools.
  • Experience with performance optimization and power management techniques.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
• Experience with:
  • Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
  • OFDMA and MU-MIMO
  • Target Wake Time (TWT)
  • Bluetooth/Wi-Fi coexistence
  • Wireless certification and interoperability
  • Hardware/Firmware co-design

Leadership Expectations

• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance.
• Influence cross-functional decisions and technology roadmaps.
• Drive execution, quality, and timely delivery of key milestones.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

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.