CPU Software Architecture Senior Staff Engineer

Qualcomm

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
San Diego, CA
Salary
$162,600–$244,000 / yr
Posted
2 days ago
Closes
Dec 22, 2026
Nearby
99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $181k
This role $203k
$125k most similar roles pay here $257k

This role pays more than 65% of similar roles. Most pay $142,450–$219,425 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $203k versus about $181k 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 836 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $148,300–$222,500 across 516 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · CPU Software Architecture Senior Staff Engineer

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Join Qualcomm Technologies' CPU software architecture team as a senior engineer responsible for driving the software architecture of cutting-edge products using Qualcomm Custom CPUs. You will participate in hardware-software co-design, system optimizations, and firmware development for ARMv9-based SoCs used in premium mobiles, laptops, automotive, cloud, and server products. Your daily tasks include designing and implementing software modules, performing code reviews, regression testing, and collaborating with multiple teams to define software architecture. Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science, 6+ years of embedded system development experience, expertise in ARM CPU architecture, performance optimization for ARM-based SoCs, familiarity with open-source tools like Linux or Zephyr RTOS, and strong programming skills in C/C++ or ARM assembly.

Skills

ARM C C++ Linux RTOS Zephyr ARMv8 ARMv9 RISC-V Open-Source Debugging Code Reviews Regression Testing Collaboration Hardware-Software Co-design Performance Optimization Firmware Development

What you'll do

  • Design and develop CPU software architecture for Qualcomm's custom CPUs.
  • Participate in hardware-software co-design for cutting-edge Qualcomm SoCs.
  • Optimize performance of applications on ARMv9 architecture-based systems.
  • Develop firmware and driver code for Linux or RTOS environments.
  • Evaluate and enhance system optimizations for various industry products.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define software architecture needs.

What we're looking for

  • 6+ years of experience in embedded system development.
  • Strong understanding of ARM CPU architecture fundamentals (ARMv8/v9).
  • 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.
  • Software or driver development experience on Linux or RTOS systems.
  • Analytical skills and ability to collaborate across multiple teams.

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