Principal / Director – Robotics System Architecture Lead

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 242,300 - 363,500; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm is seeking a Principal or Senior Director-level Robotics System Architecture Lead to define and own the architecture for next-generation robotic platforms in Santa Clara, California. This leader will guide the technical direction across hardware, firmware, middleware, AI, and cloud integration.

The ideal candidate will have significant robotics systems experience, strong leadership abilities, and will drive the architectural decisions that shape future platform designs. This role offers competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package, supporting well-being and work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Systems Engineering experience required (or relevant experience).
• 15+ years of robotics experience preferred with expertise in embedded platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to direct multi-team architecture review processes.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the end-to-end robotics system architecture.
• Lead architectural decisions across robotics perception, navigation, and control.
• Drive integration of Qualcomm AI technologies into a robotics platform.

Skills

Robotics systems experience

Architectural judgment

Cross-functional team influence

Real-time systems knowledge

Sensor fusion expertise

Education

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

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Ph.D. in a related area

Tools

ROS2

DDS

real-time Linux

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Location

San Diego and Santa Clara, California.

Overview

Qualcomm Robotics is seeking a Principal or Senior Director‑level Robotics System Architecture Lead to define and own the end‑to‑end system architecture for next‑generation robotic platforms. This role is responsible for shaping the technical direction of Qualcomm’s robotics solutions across silicon, firmware, operating systems, middleware, AI, and cloud integration.

The ideal candidate is a recognized technical leader with deep robotics systems experience, strong architectural judgment, and the ability to influence cross‑functional teams and long‑term platform roadmaps.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end robotics system architecture spanning hardware, firmware, OS, middleware, AI runtimes, and cloud/fleet integration.
• Define architectural principles for real‑time behavior, performance, safety isolation, determinism, and scalability across heterogeneous compute (CPU/GPU/DSP/NPU/MCU).
• Lead architectural decisions across perception, localization, navigation, planning, manipulation, and control stacks.
• Define multi‑sensor architecture (cameras, IMU, lidar/radar, depth) including timing/synchronization, calibration, bandwidth, and compute/power trade‑offs for robust perception and state estimation.
• Architect time synchronization and deterministic sensor data paths (e.g., hardware timestamping, clock discipline, PTP/IEEE1588 where applicable) to enable precise multi‑sensor fusion and real‑time decision making.
• Guide signal processing and sensor pipeline design (ISP, filtering, denoising, feature extraction, sensor fusion inputs), partnering with silicon and algorithm teams to meet accuracy, latency, and reliability targets.
• Drive integration of ROS2 / DDS‑based middleware and Qualcomm AI technologies into a cohesive, production‑grade robotics platform.
• Partner with silicon, software, AI, and product teams to ensure alignment between software architecture and SoC capabilities, influencing future platform requirements as needed.
• Establish system‑level strategies for reliability, diagnostics, functional safety patterns, and validation.
• Support customer and partner engagements by translating requirements into scalable reference architectures and platform solutions.
• Review and guide complex cross‑team design efforts; serve as the technical escalation point for system‑level issues.

Director Scope

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across multiple teams and geographies.
• Help define hiring standards, technical expectations, and architecture review processes.
• Influence multi‑year robotics platform strategy and investment priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and≥8years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and≥7years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• Ph.D. in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and≥6years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• Works in the lab, can use hazardous chemicals (e.g., glue, machinery).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field.
• 15+ years of experience in robotics, autonomous systems, embedded platforms, or large‑scale software systems.
• Proven experience owning system‑level architecture across hardware and software boundaries.
• Strong understanding of robotics fundamentals: perception, sensor fusion, estimation, planning, and control.
• Experience working with heterogeneous compute platforms and performance‑ or real‑time‑critical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to drive alignment and influence decisions across cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Experience shipping commercial or industrial robotic products at scale.
• Hands‑on experience with ROS2, DDS, real‑time Linux, MCU‑based systems, and AI inference runtimes.
• Familiarity with cloud‑connected robotics, fleet management, or edge‑to‑cloud architectures.
• Prior experience influencing platform or silicon roadmaps.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $242,300.00 – $363,500.00. 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. 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

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.

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.