#WLAN Senior Engineer

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. is seeking a Software Engineer to design, develop, and validate embedded and cloud-edge software for next-generation Wi‑Fi technologies. You will work with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality software solutions that meet customer needs.

The role involves responsible software design, implementation of Linux drivers, performance optimization, and occasional customer-site support. A strong background in C/C++, Python, and Linux kernel development is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
• 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of academic or work experience with programming languages such as C, C++, Java, Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, unit test, and document next-gen Wi‑Fi 7/8 protocol features.
• Design, implement, and maintain Linux wireless drivers for Qualcomm AP SoCs.
• Analyze requirements and develop software solutions to optimize wireless system performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Participate in software design, feature implementation, code reviews, debugging, integration, and regression testing activities.
• Bring up, validate, and enable wireless driver functionality on new AP hardware platforms.
• Optimize wireless driver performance, throughput, latency, and system resource utilization.
• Debug and resolve complex Wi‑Fi protocol, interoperability, performance, and system crash issues.
• Collaborate closely with firmware, hardware, protocol, validation, and systems engineering teams to deliver high‑quality solutions.
• Work with the open‑source community to upstream ath12k and related driver enhancements into the Linux kernel.
• Develop and maintain technical design documents, implementation specifications, and feature documentation.
• Support customer issue investigation and occasionally travel to customer sites for technical debugging and resolution activities.

Skills

C, C++, Java, Python

Linux kernel concepts

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Linux kernel

Device drivers

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering

General Summary

This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship.

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 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 1+ year of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
• 2+ years of academic or work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Primary Job Duties

• * Design, develop, unit test, and document next-generation Wi‑Fi 7 and Wi‑Fi 8 protocol features.
• * Design, implement, and maintain Linux wireless drivers for Qualcomm Access Point (AP) SoCs.
• * Analyze requirements and develop software solutions to optimize wireless system performance, reliability, and scalability.
• * Participate in software design, feature implementation, code reviews, debugging, integration, and regression testing activities.
• * Bring up, validate, and enable wireless driver functionality on new AP hardware platforms.
• * Optimize wireless driver performance, throughput, latency, and system resource utilization.
• * Debug and resolve complex Wi‑Fi protocol, interoperability, performance, and system crash issues.
• * Collaborate closely with firmware, hardware, protocol, validation, and systems engineering teams to deliver high‑quality solutions.
• * Work with the open‑source community to upstream ath12k and related driver enhancements into the Linux kernel.
• * Develop and maintain technical design documents, implementation specifications, and feature documentation.
• * Support customer issue investigation and occasionally travel to customer sites for technical debugging and resolution activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• * 3-6 years of hands‑on experience in Networking, Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11), Linux kernel, or device driver development.
• * Strong programming skills in C, data structures, and algorithms.
• * Solid experience with Linux kernel architecture and Linux device driver development.
• * Good understanding of networking fundamentals and networking protocol stacks.
• * Experience with Linux networking subsystems and networking components within the Linux kernel.
• * Experience developing Ethernet, Wireless LAN, or other networking drivers.
• * Strong debugging, root cause analysis, and problem‑solving skills for complex system‑level issues.
• * Knowledge of wireless communication protocols, access point architecture, and WLAN driver frameworks.

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).

To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.

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

$134,500.00 - $201,700.00

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.