Modem Software Engineer

Qualcomm

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
San Diego, CA
Salary
$109,400–$164,200 / yr
Posted
15 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday
Closes
Apr 10, 2027

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $168k
This role $137k
$97k $221k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays less than 70% of similar roles. Most pay $126,750–$208,800 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $137k versus about $168k 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 575 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $147,900–$221,900 across 550 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Modem Software Engineer

The Modem Software Engineer joins the MMODE team to develop protocol software for intelligent system selection and mobility across terrestrial and satellite wireless networks. You will design, develop, and optimize real-time embedded software for the modem subsystem, focusing on 5G NR, LTE, NTN, Multi-SIM, and emergency services. Working close to the metal, you will write performant C/C++ code for DSP and Arm cores across protocol layers, device drivers, and RTOS-level components. This AI-native role requires leveraging code-generation agents, LLM-based code review, and automated test synthesis to accelerate delivery and debugging. You will manage end-to-end feature delivery, including architecture, unit testing, and on-target bring-up, while solving complex problems regarding latency, memory, and power efficiency in highly complex firmware environments.

What you'll do

  • Design and optimize real-time embedded modem software for protocol layers, drivers, and platform services.
  • Write performant C/C++ code for DSP and Arm cores under strict latency, memory, and power constraints.
  • Own end-to-end feature delivery including requirements, architecture, implementation, unit testing, and on-target bring-up.
  • Integrate AI coding agents and prompt patterns into daily workflows to accelerate development and debugging.
  • Build and maintain AI-assisted tooling for code review, static analysis, and automated crash triage.
  • Debug and root-cause complex multi-layer issues on target hardware using logs, traces, and RAM dumps.
  • Mentor peers on embedded fundamentals and AI-native engineering techniques.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience designing, implementing, and optimizing real-time embedded modem software across protocol layers, drivers, and platform services.
  • Proficiency in writing performant, resource-constrained C/C++ for DSP and Arm cores.
  • Ability to apply rigorous data-structure and algorithm design to build efficient, scalable firmware components.
  • Experience with end-to-end feature delivery including requirements, architecture, implementation, unit/integration testing, and on-target bring-up.
  • Ability to pioneer and integrate AI-native development practices, such as code-generation agents and LLM-based code review, into workflows.
  • Experience debugging and root-causing complex, multi-layer issues on target hardware using logs, traces, and RAM dumps.
  • Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with systems, hardware, and test teams to deliver production-quality firmware.

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