Rack Systems Architect

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 220,200 - 330,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual discretionary bonus

Opportunity for annual RSU grants

Job summary

Qualcomm seeks a Rack Systems Architect to lead the development of high-performance, energy-efficient server solutions for data centers. You will own rack architecture, integrating compute, networking, and power, while ensuring deployment-ready solutions.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and boasts over 10 years of experience in data center hardware and system architecture.

This role offers a competitive pay range of $220,200 to $330,400, alongside bonuses and stock opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data center hardware or infrastructure design.
• Strong expertise in power, thermal, and networking trade-offs.
• Proven experience with rack-scale or system-level architecture.

Responsibilities

• Define and own rack-scale architecture including compute topology and networking.
• Collaborate with thermal teams on cooling architecture and system-level trade-offs.
• Drive architecture from concept through production balancing performance and scalability.

Skills

Rack-scale architecture

Power systems expertise

Networking trade-offs

Thermal management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Overview

Qualcomm Data Center team is developing high‑performance, energy‑efficient server solutions for data center applications. We are hiring a Rack Systems Architect to define and deliver rack‑scale compute systems for next‑generation data center platforms. This role owns end‑to‑end rack architecture, spanning compute, networking, power, and cooling, and translates platform capabilities into scalable, deployment‑ready solutions. Operating at the intersection of silicon, systems, and infrastructure, you will drive architecture from concept through production—balancing performance, scalability, reliability, and total cost of ownership (TCO).

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own rack‑scale architecture, including compute topology, networking fabric, power distribution, and rack integration
• Develop OCP‑aligned Rack Level Designs (RLDs), including ORv3‑based architectures
• Lead rack‑level power architecture (48V/54V), including redundancy, efficiency, and scalability
• Define rack‑level networking and interconnect architectures (Ethernet, PCIe, emerging fabrics)
• Partner with thermal teams on cooling architecture (liquid cooling, air cooling) and system‑level trade‑offs
• Drive rack integration: mechanical layout, cabling, serviceability, manufacturability
• Collaborate with software and firmware teams on rack management, telemetry, observability, and validation strategy
• Ensure systems are deployment‑ready, with focus on reliability, serviceability, and operational efficiency
• Evaluate and drive adoption of emerging technologies (CXL, rack‑scale disaggregation, next‑gen interconnects)
• Author architecture specifications, design documents, and trade‑off analyses

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in data center hardware, system architecture, or infrastructure design
• Proven experience with rack‑scale or system‑level architecture and integration
• Strong expertise in power, thermal, and networking trade‑offs at system scale
• Solid understanding of high‑speed architectures (PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, DDR)
• Experience leading cross‑functional architecture across hardware, software, and systems teams
• Strong communication and technical leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• 15+ years of experience in platform and rack‑scale architecture
• Deep knowledge of OCP standards and ORv3 rack architectures
• Experience delivering rack‑scale systems in production data center environments
• Expertise in rack‑level power systems and energy efficiency optimization
• Experience with liquid cooling technologies (DLC, RDHx, immersion)
• Exposure to CXL, composable infrastructure, or rack‑scale disaggregation
• Experience working with OEMs/ODMs and hyperscale ecosystems

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience
• Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience
• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience

Pay Range and Other Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $220,200.00 - $330,400.00. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer

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 e‑mail disability‑[e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able to participate in the hiring process.