Staff Software Engineer – Platform Debug

Qualcomm; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 151,900 - 227,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual discretionary bonus

Annual RSU grants

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

A leading technology company in Texas is seeking a skilled Software Platform Debug Engineer to design, develop, and debug software for high-performance servers. The role requires at least 4 years of experience in Software Engineering and proficiency in languages such as C and Python. Candidates should demonstrate technical ownership and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. The position offers a salary range between $151,900 and $227,900, with additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of Software Engineering experience.
• Master's degree with 3+ years or PhD with 2+ years of Software Engineering experience.
• 2+ years of experience with Programming Languages such as C, C++, Java, and Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software for debug functionality.
• Troubleshoot complex software defects across integrated components.
• Collaborate with teams to identify root causes and deliver fixes.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Debugging

Troubleshooting

Software Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science

Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science

PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science

Tools

JTAG debug tools

Firmware

High-performance trace tools

Job description

Overview

Company Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering

General Summary We are seeking a skilled Software Platform Debug Engineer to design, develop, and debug low‑level software that enables and supports debug visibility on high‑performance server platforms. These debug features include both dynamic debug (e.g., peek/poke) and post‑mortem (crash) capabilities. In this role, you will work close to the hardware/software boundary, solving complex system‑level issues across firmware, operating systems, platform software, and host tooling. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions that meet demanding performance and reliability requirements.

This position is suitable for Senior‑ or Staff‑level engineers who demonstrate strong technical ownership, deep systems knowledge, and the ability to influence technical direction. This is a replacement headcount.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software to support debug functionality across multiple system layers
• Troubleshoot and resolve highly complex software defects across integrated components
• Analyze system behavior by gathering and correlating information across modules, subsystems, and interfaces
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to identify root causes and deliver effective fixes
• Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation strategies clearly to project leads and stakeholders
• Identify design or implementation gaps and proactively drive solutions
• Contribute technical input and solution strategies during design and debug reviews
• Develop and execute unit and integration tests to ensure stability and functional correctness
• Perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive technical feedback
• Manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables for small‑ to medium‑sized initiatives

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

• 5+ years of experience building software stacks for high‑performance systems
• 5+ years of experience in debug software development (tools, firmware, applications)
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering
• 10+ years of experience building and debugging software for high‑performance platforms
• Experience with ARM debug architectures or frameworks

Technical Skills & Expertise

• Experience designing and/or supporting debug capabilities in complex SoCs and high‑performance CPU architectures, including:
  • JTAG debug and tooling
  • High‑performance trace
  • System crash analysis
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, including:
  • High‑performance server designs
  • Hardware/software interfaces
• Proficiency in C and assembly language
• Systems programming experience using Python or similar languages
• Familiarity with modern build systems and distributed version control workflows
• Experience developing and debugging:
  • Platform and system software
  • Firmware and boot software
  • Debug and diagnostic tools

Level of Responsibility

• Autonomy: Operates independently with minimal supervision
• Communication: Conveys complex technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership
• Influence: Provides technical input that impacts key architectural and organizational decisions
• Execution: Manages multi‑step, high‑complexity tasks with strong attention to detail
• Innovation: Applies creativity and technical judgment to develop new approaches and solutions
• Problem Solving: Uses advanced analytical reasoning to diagnose and resolve complex system issues

EEO & Accommodations 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.

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 $151,900.00 - $227,900.00

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. 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. Our 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. For more details about our US benefits, please refer to the provided link.

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