Ambient Compute System Architecture and Power Engineer

Qualcomm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 148,300 - 222,500; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in San Diego is seeking a senior engineer to advance performance optimization, power analysis, and architecture for embedded AI subsystems used in XR and ambient scenarios.

You will collaborate with HW/SW teams to optimize DSP/NPUs, perform power measurements, and drive data-path improvements, delivering actionable recommendations to stakeholders and enabling on-device AI efficiency.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience in embedded/power optimization.
• Experience with embedded processor architectures and power behavior.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis and automation.
• Experience with embedded platforms, RTOS, and profiling tools.
• Strong memory system and data movement knowledge.
• Ability to work across cross-functional and distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize performance and power of LPAI subsystem (DSP, eNPU, memory) with XR and always-on AI workloads.
• Support system integration, benchmarking, and commercialization of LPAI across Mobile, XR, Compute, and IoT platforms.
• Perform detailed data-path and memory-access analysis (cache, SRAM, DDR) to identify bottlenecks impacting performance efficiency.
• Drive ambient system workload partitioning, software optimizations, clock/BW voting, and data reuse strategies.
• Collaborate with HW, SW, and PdM teams to review low-power feature roadmap.
• Execute lab-based power measurements, correlate silicon data with modelling.
• Document performance and power analysis, competitive analysis findings, and architectural recommendations for internal stakeholders.

Skills

Python programming

Power/performance profiling

Embedded processor architectures (DSPs

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-path and memory-analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Job description

Company: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Multimedia Systems

General Summary: As part of Qualcomm’s Low-Power AI (LPAI) Systems group, this role focuses on performance optimization, data-path and power analysis, and architecture of embedded AI subsystems, with emphasis on XR and ambient use cases. The engineer drives power-efficient system design and analysis across DSP/AI subsystems by analyzing power-performance trade-offs and enabling optimizations across software and hardware for on-device AI.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize performance and power of LPAI subsystem (DSP, eNPU, memory) with focus on XR and always-on AI workloads.
• Support system integration, benchmarking, and commercialization of LPAI solutions across Mobile, XR, Compute, and IoT platforms.
• Perform detailed data-path and memory-access analysis (cache, SRAM, DDR) to identify bottlenecks impacting performance efficiency.
• Drive ambient system workload partitioning, software optimizations, clock/BW voting, and data reuse strategies.
• Collaborate with HW, SW, and PdM teams to review low-power feature roadmap.
• Execute lab-based power measurements, correlate silicon data with modelling.
• Document performance and power analysis, competitive analysis findings, and architectural recommendations for internal stakeholders.

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.

Requirements

• Experience with embedded processor architectures such as DSPs and NPUs, with understanding of processor power behavior.
• Experience working with embedded platforms, RTOS, and performance/power profiling tools.
• Strong programming skills in Python for analysis, modeling, and automation.
• Solid understanding of memory systems, data movement, bandwidth analysis, and cache memory strategies.
• Strong fundamentals in power modeling, power analysis, and system-level power optimization.
• Hands-on experience with power measurement tools, and data analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of fixed-point implementation and algorithm optimization techniques.
• Ability to work across cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Qualcomm DSP and LPAI architectures, SDKs, or internal power tools.
• Background in audio, or always-on AI use cases.
• Exposure to ML inference workloads and their power-performance characteristics.

Pay Range and Benefits

$148,300.00 - $222,500.00. This scale reflects the broad minimum to maximum pay for this job code for the location posted. The salary is just one component of total compensation. Additional components include a competitive discretionary bonus program and annual RSU grants for eligible employees. The benefits package supports work, home, and play.

EEO Statement

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other protected classification.

Disability Accommodations

If you have a disability and need accommodations during the application or hiring process, contact [e-mail] or call Qualcomm’s toll-free number. Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations.