Staff Engineer, Hardware Application Engineering

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 143,400 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. is seeking a Staff Hardware Application Engineer based in Santa Clara, CA to lead customer-facing hardware enablement for WLAN gateway and AP platforms.

You will bridge hardware design, RF/WLAN systems, Ethernet networking, and SoC platforms to help customers design, tune, validate, and launch products built on Qualcomm solutions. This role collaborates with customers, ODM/OEM partners, and internal teams across hardware, RF, firmware, BSP, and software to translate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in electrical/related field with relevant hardware applications experience.
• Experience with WLAN gateway/hardware bring-up and customer-facing roles.
• Strong knowledge of RF, Ethernet, and high-speed interface design and validation.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary technical interface for customers during WLAN gateway/AP bring-up and validation.
• Translate customer requirements into hardware architecture guidance and reference designs.
• Support customers through EVT/DVT/PVT phases to ensure on-time product launches.
• Provide hands-on WLAN AP design guidance including Wi‑Fi 6/6E/7 architectures and multi-band systems.
• Lead RF tuning including gain budgets, antenna matching, PA/LNA optimization, and regulatory margins.
• Support RF validation with spectrum analyzers, VNA, and Wi‑Fi test systems.
• Perform schematic and PCB reviews for gateways and APs focusing on high-speed interfaces and power integrity.
• Collaborate with firmware, BSP, and systems teams to resolve hardware/software interaction issues.

Skills

WLAN AP design

RF tuning

Ethernet interfaces

Schematic/PCB reviews

High-speed interfaces

Customer enablement

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or related field

Master's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or related field

PhD in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or related field

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Wi-Fi test systems

PCB design tools

Job description

Company:

Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Applications Engineering

General Summary:

As a Staff Hardware Application Engineer, you will lead the customer‑facing hardware enablement of Qualcomm’s next‑generation WLAN Gateway and Access Point platforms for North American customers. This role sits at the intersection of hardware design, RF/WLAN systems, Ethernet networking, and SoC platforms, and is critical to enabling customers to design, tune, validate, and successfully launch products based on Qualcomm solutions.

You will work closely with customers, ODM/OEM partners, and internal hardware, RF, system, firmware, and software teams to translate customer requirements into robust hardware designs and ensure end‑to‑end readiness from schematic review through production launch.

Key Responsibilities:

• Customer Hardware Enablement
  • Act as the primary technical interface for customers during WLAN gateway / AP hardware bring‑up, validation, and commercialization.
  • Translate customer requirements into hardware architecture guidance, feature recommendations, and reference design adaptations.
  • Support customers through EVT/DVT/PVT phases to ensure on‑time product launch.
• WLAN AP & RF Design Expertise
  • Provide hands‑on guidance for WLAN AP design, including Wi‑Fi 6/6E/7 architectures, multi‑band/multi‑radio systems, and coexistence considerations.
  • Lead and review RF tuning, including gain budgets, antenna matching, PA/LNA optimization, thermal impacts, and regulatory margin analysis.
  • Support RF validation using spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers, and Wi‑Fi test systems.
• Board Design & Hardware Reviews
  • Perform schematic and PCB layout reviews for WLAN gateways and APs, with focus on:
    • High‑speed interfaces (PCIe, RGMII/SGMII, USB)
    • Power integrity and sequencing
    • RF layout, isolation, grounding, and antenna routing
  • Identify design risks early and drive corrective actions with customers and ODMs.
• Ethernet & Networking Interfaces
  • Support designs involving Ethernet PHYs, switches, GMAC/XGMAC, and multi‑port gateway architectures.
  • Debug and resolve Ethernet bring‑up, link stability, and performance issues in customer designs.
• SoC & Platform- Level Debug
  • Deep understanding of Qualcomm SoC‑based gateway platforms, including hardware blocks, interconnects, and system dependencies.
  • Collaborate with firmware, BSP, and systems teams to debug hardware/software interaction issues impacting WLAN or Ethernet performance.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with RF, hardware systems, firmware, networking, and customer engineering teams to resolve complex customer issues.
  • Drive alignment across internal teams to close customer gaps and accelerate enablement.
• Documentation & Knowledge Sharing
  • Create and maintain hardware application notes, design guidelines, bring‑up checklists, and customer training material.
  • Capture field learnings and feed them back into reference designs and future platform improvements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Applications Engineering or Hardware Design experience or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Applications Engineering or Hardware Design experience or related work experience.
• PhD in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Applications Engineering or Hardware Design experience or related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in hardware design, hardware applications engineering, or customer engineering.
• Strong hands‑on experience with:
  • WLAN AP / Gateway hardware design
  • RF circuits, antenna systems, and RF tuning
  • Schematic and PCB design reviews
  • Ethernet interfaces and networking subsystems
• Proven experience working directly with customers or ODM/OEM partners in a product development environment.
• Deep expertise in Wi‑Fi standards (802.11ax / 802.11be) and WLAN system architecture.
• Experience with Qualcomm WLAN or networking SoC platforms.
• Strong knowledge of RF test equipment and hardware validation methodologies.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (FCC/ETSI) and pre‑compliance testing.
• Experience supporting products through high‑volume manufacturing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex hardware topics to diverse audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, customer‑driven environment and manage multiple engagements in parallel.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

$143,400.00 - $215,000.00

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.

Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations Statement:

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 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.

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