Sr Hardware Design Engineer

QUALCOMM, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Hardware Design Engineer to join an inventive team developing next-generation 6G prototype platforms and high-performance hardware modules.

You will drive schematic capture, component selection, and BOM management for multi-layer digital designs, oversee PCB layouts with strict high-speed routing rules, and perform lab bring-up and debugging to validate prototype hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years hardware engineering or related experience
• Master's degree and 1+ year hardware engineering or related experience
• PhD in CS/EE/Engineering or related field

Responsibilities

• Drive schematic capture, select hardware components, and manage BOMs for multi-layer digital designs.
• Oversee and participate in the physical PCB layout process with high-speed routing rules and constraints.
• Perform physical board bring-up, debugging, and functional characterization of prototype hardware in the lab.
• Utilize lab test equipment to isolate and troubleshoot hardware issues.
• Collaborate with Signal Integrity and Power Integrity teams to optimize layout topologies for high-speed buses.
• Document detailed test plans, validation reports, and hardware ECOs.

Skills

High-speed digital design

Impedance control

PCB layout

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Engineering

Master's degree in CS/EE/Engineering

PhD in CS/EE/Engineering

Tools

Hyperlynx

LTspice

Mentor Xpedition

Cadence Allegro

Job description

Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Engineering

General Summary:

As a Senior Hardware Design Engineer, you will join an inventive team responsible for developing next-generation 6G prototype platforms and high-performance hardware modules. This role sits at the intersection of circuit design and physical validation, taking high-speed digital designs from initial schematic architecture through physical PCB layout oversight and lab testing. You will collaborate closely with global, cross-functional teams (including PCB CAD, Signal Integrity, Firmware, Mechanical, and Thermal) to deliver high-quality hardware solutions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive schematic capture, select hardware components, and manage complex bills of materials (BOMs) for multi-layer digital designs.
• Oversee and actively participate in the physical PCB layout process, ensuring strict compliance with high-speed digital routing rules and constraints.
• Perform physical board bring-up, debugging, and functional characterization of prototype hardware in the lab.
• Utilise lab test equipment (e.g., high-bandwidth digital oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters) to isolate and troubleshoot hardware issues.
• Collaborate with internal Signal Integrity and Power Integrity teams to optimize layout topologies for high-speed buses.
• Document detailed test plans, validation reports, and hardware engineering change orders (ECOs).

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-4 years of professional hardware engineering or related product-development work experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of high-speed digital board design principles, including impedance control, crosstalk, and power delivery.
• Ability to design high-speed, high power multi-layer PCBs.
• Experience utilizing schematic capture tools and basic simulation software (e.g., Hyperlynx, LTspice).
• Hands-on familiarity with professional PCB layout software suites, such as Siemens/Mentor Xpedition or Cadence Allegro.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as Ethernet, PCIe, DDR, USB, or I2C/SPI protocols.

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 [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.

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.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

$117,800.00 - $176,600.00

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.