Rack-Scale Hardware Tech Lead

QUALCOMM, Inc.; California; On-site; USD 170,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in the United States is seeking a System Hardware and Validation Technical Lead to drive next-generation rack-scale AI hardware in data centers.

You will partner with SoC, firmware, rack-level design, and manufacturing teams to plan, track, and execute milestones from concept to production. You will lead cross-functional reviews, define integration plans across compute nodes, PCIe fabrics, and telemetry, and ensure timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex hardware/system programs in a matrixed org.
• Strong communication and ability to drive cross-functional reviews.
• Proven track record with rack-scale designs and verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution for next-generation Qualcomm rack-scale designs within a matrixed organization spanning multiple teams and global sites.
• Define and manage requirements, scope, schedules, and deliverables in alignment with engineering teams, partners, and stakeholders.
• Own rack-level integration plans across compute nodes/accelerators, PCIe fabrics, networking, storage, power delivery, cooling, and rack management/telemetry.
• Drive firmware/software/hardware co-design execution, aligning BIOS/BMC/Redfish/telemetry requirements with hardware schedules and validation gates.
• Lead cross-functional design reviews and readiness reviews (architecture, schematic/layout, SI/PI, thermal, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing), and close actions to schedule.
• Coordinate platform-level debug and instrumentation (telemetry, logging, health monitoring) to accelerate failure analysis and improve observability.
• Establish and run triage mechanisms (issue intake, prioritization, defect metrics) and drive issues to root cause, corrective action, and verified closure.
• Define and track program-level KPIs (schedule health, build quality, defect trends, coverage, yield, reliability) and publish executive dashboards and weekly program reviews.
• Identify program risks, drive mitigation plans, and manage scope changes while proactively communicating status and decisions to stakeholders.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Persuasive communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Master’s degree in computer science/engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field

PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field

Tools

JIRA/Confluence

SharePoint

Microsoft Office

Job description

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in the United States is seeking a System Hardware and Validation Technical Lead to drive next-generation rack-scale AI hardware in data centers.

You will partner with SoC, firmware, rack-level design, and manufacturing teams to plan, track, and execute milestones from concept to production. You will lead cross-functional reviews, define integration plans across compute nodes, PCIe fabrics, and telemetry, and ensure timely delivery.