Staff Embedded Software Engineer – Automotive Platforms

Qualcomm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in San Diego seeks a Software Engineer to design, develop, and validate embedded and cloud edge software for automotive platforms, collaborating with hardware, silicon, and validation teams to bring up reference platforms.

The role requires hands-on experience with C/C++, device drivers, and low-level firmware, plus familiarity with SPI, PCIe, CAN, I2C, and debugging tools such as Lauterbach Trace32 and JTAG.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain bare‑metal firmware and low‑level device drivers to enable bring‑up and validation of Qualcomm Automotive reference platforms.
• Perform early hardware bring‑up and debug of new boards and chipsets, identifying issues across hardware, firmware, and system boundaries.
• Implement and extend test firmware used for platform validation, manufacturing test, and factory enablement.
• Collaborate closely with hardware design, silicon, systems, and validation teams to define requirements and resolve hardware/software integration issues.
• Analyze failures using schematics, register traces, logic analyzer data, and lab instrumentation, and drive issues to resolution.
• Support multiple platforms and hardware variants, adapting software to different configurations and use cases.
• Contribute to code reviews, documentation, and best practices for low‑level embedded software development.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on embedded software, debugging techniques, and platform bring‑up.
• Participate in cross‑site and cross‑functional reviews, providing clear technical communication and status updates.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded software

Device drivers

Python

English communication

Java

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Master's degree in Engineering/CS

PhD in Engineering/CS

Tools

Perforce

JTAG

Trace32

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering

General Summary

As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what’s possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting-edge, world class products that meet and exceed customer needs. Qualcomm Software Engineers collaborate with systems, hardware, architecture, test engineers, and other teams to design system-level software solutions and obtain information on performance requirements and interfaces.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

General Summary

Qualcomm’s Automotive Platform Systems team designs and delivers reference platforms used for post-silicon validation, software development, and high-volume production test of Qualcomm Automotive chipsets. These highly integrated reference designs incorporate our high‑performance SoCs and a wide range of digital and analog peripherals required to showcase our performance in use cases for both Snapdragon Cockpit In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) and Snapdragon Ride Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) applications.

The APS Software team is composed of embedded software engineers with deep expertise in low‑level device drivers, firmware, and hardware/software interfaces. The team develops bare‑metal software and validation firmware used to bring up, test, and validate Qualcomm reference platforms. Work is performed in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment that directly supports hardware design validation, factory test enablement, and early platform bring‑up across multiple global sites.

This role requires strong technical depth in low‑level embedded software development and close collaboration with hardware, silicon, and systems teams. The ideal candidate is a self‑motivated problem solver who can work both independently and as part of a globally distributed team.

Technical Skills And Experience

• Strong expertise in device driver and bare‑metal software development, including register‑level programming, GPIO configuration, and hardware bring‑up.
• Working knowledge of hardware interfaces and protocols including SPI, USB, I2C/I3C, I2S, PCIe, UART, UFS, DP, MIPI CSI/DSI, CAN, and Ethernet.
• Proficiency with debug and bring‑up tools such as Lauterbach Trace32 and JTAG‑based debuggers.
• Experience with common Automotive peripherals such as ASIL-D Microcontrollers, CAN Transceivers, Camera/Display SerDes, PCIe Switches, Ethernet Swtiches and PHYs.
• Hands‑on experience using lab equipment including oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and bench power supplies.
• Solid understanding of ARM and/or RISC‑V processor architectures.
• Experience using software revision control systems such as Perforce.
• Ability to interpret datasheets, hardware design documents, schematics, and CCA drawings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to collaborate effectively with international teams.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain bare‑metal firmware and low‑level device drivers to enable bring‑up and validation of Qualcomm Automotive reference platforms.
• Perform early hardware bring‑up and debug of new boards and chipsets, identifying issues across hardware, firmware, and system boundaries.
• Implement and extend test firmware used for platform validation, manufacturing test, and factory enablement.
• Collaborate closely with hardware design, silicon, systems, and validation teams to define requirements and resolve hardware/software integration issues.
• Analyze failures using schematics, register traces, logic analyzer data, and lab instrumentation, and drive issues to resolution.
• Support multiple platforms and hardware variants, adapting software to different configurations and use cases.
• Contribute to code reviews, documentation, and best practices for low‑level embedded software development.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on embedded software, debugging techniques, and platform bring‑up.
• Participate in cross‑site and cross‑functional reviews, providing clear technical communication and status updates.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in embedded systems development, device drivers, or firmware development.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience with engineering lab tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and JTAG debuggers.
• 8+ years of programming experience using languages such as C, C++, Python, Assembly, or similar.

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 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.

Pay Range and Other Compensation & Benefits

$141,300.00 - $211,900.00

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. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.