Low power AI/ML System Architect

QUALCOMM, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. seeks an engineer focused on performance optimization, data-path and power analysis for embedded AI subsystems in XR and ambient use cases. You will analyze power-performance trade-offs and drive optimizations across software and hardware for on-device AI.

Responsibilities include optimizing AI workloads on Snapdragon SOCs, enabling power-aware system design, and collaborating across Mobile, XR, Compute, and IoT teams to deliver efficient on-device AI solutions.

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.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize performance and power of AI systems with focus on always-on AI workloads on Snapdragon SOCs.
• Support system integration, benchmarking, and commercialization of AI 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.

Skills

Embedded ML accelerators

NPUs

Low power design principles

RTOS performance profiling

Python

PyTorch

Executorch

Power modeling

Power analysis

Data movement & bandwidth analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/IS/CS

Master's degree in Engineering/IS/CS

PhD in Engineering/IS/CS

Tools

Performance profiling tools

Power measurement tools

Memory/bandwidth analysis tools

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

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 will drive 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 AI systems with focus on always-on AI workloads on Snadrogon SOCs.
• Support system integration, benchmarking, and commercialization of AI 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.

Requirements

• Experience with embedded ML accelerators, NPUs, processors, with understanding of low power design principles and constraints.
• Experience working with embedded platforms, RTOS, and performance/power profiling tools for analysis, modeling, and automation.
• Strong programming skills in Python, pytorch, executorch.
• 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 NPU and LPAI architectures, SDKs, is a plus.
• Exposure to ML model training and inference workloads and their power-performance characteristics.

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.

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 email [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).

EEO Employer: 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 any other protected classification.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits

$155,400.00 - $233,200.00

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. You can review more details about our US benefits at this link.