Sr. Staff Hardware Design Engineer, Rack Scale - Team Lead (AI Data Center)

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a System Hardware and Validation Technical Lead to partner with SoC, software/firmware, rack-level system design, and manufacturing teams.

You will ensure program activities are planned, tracked, and executed against phase-gate milestones from concept through production. You will lead cross-functional design reviews, drive triage and observability, and manage integration across compute nodes, PCIe, networking, and cooling while aligning with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 6+ years hardware engineering or related experience.
• Master's degree with 5+ years hardware engineering or related experience.
• PhD with 4+ years hardware engineering or related work experience.
• Experience with rack-level systems and components.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and program management skills.
• Experience with defect-tracking tools and release scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution for Qualcomm rack-scale designs across multiple teams and sites.
• Define and manage requirements, scope, schedules, and deliverables.
• Own rack-level integration plans for compute nodes, PCIe, networking, storage, power, cooling.
• Drive firmware/software/hardware co-design with BIOS/BMC/Redfish/telemetry.
• Lead design reviews and readiness reviews across architecture, layout, thermal, and manufacturing.
• Coordinate platform-level debug and instrumentation to accelerate failure analysis.
• Establish triage mechanisms and drive root-cause corrective actions.
• Define and track program KPIs and publish executive dashboards.
• Identify risks and communicate status to stakeholders.

Skills

Rack-level systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Communication skills

Agile methods

Server technologies

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE

Master's degree in CS/EE/related field

PhD in CS/EE/related field

Tools

JIRA/Confluence

SharePoint

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Engineering

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

The Qualcomm Data Center AI System Hardware and Validation Engineering team develops rack-level AI inference solutions for next-generation, liquid-cooled data centers. As the organization continues to grow, the team is seeking experienced Technical Leads to help deliver the next wave of innovative AI products.

As a System Hardware and Validation Technical Lead, you will partner with SoC, software/firmware, rack-level system design, and manufacturing teams. Collaborating closely with peer leads, you will ensure program activities are well planned, tracked, and executed against phase-gate milestones from concept through production.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science/engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in systems or hardware engineering, hardware project lifecycle management, and technical product/program management.
• Experience with rack level systems and components.
• Proven experience collaborating with technical teams to develop systems, solutions, and products.
• Experience managing technical programs across cross-functional teams, establishing processes, and coordinating release schedules, and working in large, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, SharePoint, JIRA/Confluence, and other defect-tracking tools.
• Persuasive communication, organizational, coordination, multi-tasking, and documentation skills.
• Experience with server technologies, including board design, SIPI, thermal and mechanical aspects, BIOS, BMC, and networking.
• Familiarity with Agile methods and practices.
• Experience working with CMs, OEMs, ODMs, and suppliers in product development.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills, with experience managing complex program lifecycles, building sustainable processes, and coordinating release schedules.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.

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).

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

• $169,800.00 - $254,600.00
• 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.