#CPU Software Architecture Senior Engineer

Qualcomm

Actively hiring
San Diego, CA Posted 84 days ago Apply by Sep 7, 2026 $111,300$166,900 / year

At a glance

AI generated

TL;DR

Join Qualcomm Technologies' CPU software architecture team as a mid-level engineer where you will contribute to the design and development of cutting-edge CPU subsystem features for industry-leading products across mobiles, laptops, automotive, cloud, and server sectors. Your daily tasks include participating in hardware-software co-design, optimizing system performance, and developing firmware using ARMv9 architecture. You will work with open-source tools like Linux or Zephyr RTOS, write efficient code in C, C++, or ARM assembly, and collaborate closely with multiple teams to define software architectures. Ideal candidates have a Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields, 3+ years of embedded system development experience, and strong analytical skills for debugging complex issues.

Skills

C C++ ARM assembly Linux RTOS zephyr RTOS ARMv8 ARMv9 RISC-V Open-Source development tools CI/CD

What you'll do

  • Designs and implements software modules for embedded systems using ARMv8/v9 architecture.
  • Analyzes performance of applications on ARM-based SoCs and optimizes them for efficiency.
  • Participates in hardware-software co-design to define software architecture for Qualcomm products.
  • Conducts code reviews, regression tests, and fixes issues to ensure high-quality software output.
  • Develops firmware and driver software for operating systems like Linux or RTOS (Zephyr).

What we're looking for

  • 3+ years of experience in embedded system development.
  • Strong understanding of ARM CPU architecture fundamentals and ARMv8/v9 instruction sets.
  • Experience in performance evaluation and optimization for ARM-based SoCs.
  • Proficiency in C, C++, or ARM assembly programming languages.
  • Familiarity with open-source development tools and frameworks.
  • Skills to collaborate with hardware design teams on software architecture.
  • Analytical and debugging skills for complex system issues.

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $180k
This role $139k
$97k most similar roles pay here $249k

This role pays less than 77% of similar roles. Most pay $142,400–$217,725 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $139k versus about $180k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm is a leading American semiconductor and telecommunications company based in San Diego, CA.

Qualcomm currently has 595 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $148,300–$222,500 across 540 roles with salary data.

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