Next-Gen Modem System Test Engineer

Qualcomm; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a motivated engineer for the Modem System Test (MST) team in San Diego. You will verify and evaluate complex digital modem products across 6G and 5G technologies, define KPIs, and develop system-level test strategies.

The role requires strong understanding of digital and wireless systems, plus hands-on testing in lab and field environments. Collaboration across software, hardware, and RF design is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of digital and wireless communication systems, signal processing, and RF propagation.
• Strong understanding of physical layer procedures such as signal detection, channel estimation, link adaptation, mmWave beam refinement, and massive MIMO.
• Knowledge of 5G NR PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC protocols.
• Knowledge of OFDMA, Wi-Fi, and LTE.
• Knowledge of air interface performance analysis, characterization, and optimization.
• Experience with test equipment such as protocol simulator call boxes and channel emulators for wireless product verification.
• Exposure to 5G infrastructure vendor‑specific 5G NR call flows, including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, and Samsung.
• Programming skills in Python and MATLAB.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts and their application to digital communications is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Validate end-to-end system functionality and performance across the cellular protocol stack (PHY, MAC/RLC/PDCP, RRC, NAS, TCP/IP).
• Define modem key performance indicators and evaluate system performance, optimizing based on data from conducted, radiated, and live 6G/5G network testing.
• Develop and execute system-level test strategies, methodologies, and test plans for modem features and use cases.
• Analyze 3GPP specifications and carrier requirements, translating them into robust validation scenarios and test coverage.
• Perform log analysis, debugging, and root cause investigation of modem issues across lab and field environments.
• Support feature integration, certification, and commercialization of global wireless products.

Skills

Digital comms

RF propagation

Physical layer basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Protocol simulators

Channel emulators

Job description

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a motivated engineer for the Modem System Test (MST) team in San Diego. You will verify and evaluate complex digital modem products across 6G and 5G technologies, define KPIs, and develop system-level test strategies.

The role requires strong understanding of digital and wireless systems, plus hands-on testing in lab and field environments. Collaboration across software, hardware, and RF design is essential.