This role pays more than
76%
of similar roles. Most pay
$188,177–$263,400
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$271k
versus about
$226k
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
615 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$155,400–$232,600
across 593 roles with salary data.
As a Principal SoC Architect, AI Data Center, you will join the Data Center AI Architecture team to shape next-generation cloud system-on-chip designs for generative AI inference workloads requiring high compute and memory bandwidth. You will provide technical leadership across architecture studies, product definitions, and implementation guidance while translating workload requirements into scalable solutions. Your daily responsibilities include developing SoC models and specifications, quantifying performance, power, area, and cost tradeoffs, and driving competitive analysis across networking and memory systems. You will utilize tools like high-level calculators, spreadsheets, and profilers to resolve bottlenecks. The role requires expertise in processor microarchitecture, memory technologies like HBM or LPDDR, and data center networking protocols such as RDMA or InfiniBand. Technical skills include proficiency in C++ and Python for modeling, along with a deep understanding of large language model inference requirements.
Provide technical leadership for SoC and system architecture studies, product definition, and implementation guidance.
Translate product and workload requirements into scalable SoC and system solutions.
Develop SoC and system models and specifications to drive feature-set requirements across engineering teams.
Quantify performance, power, area, cost, and memory bandwidth tradeoffs while developing analysis tools.
Track designs through production to correlate observed performance with models and resolve technical gaps.
Conduct competitive analysis across SoC, platform, memory, data center networking, and software domains.
Identify areas for innovation and lead the development of new patents.
Mentor technical contributors and provide leadership within the architecture team.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with 8+ years of experience, Master's with 7+ years, or PhD with 6+ years.
At least 2 years of experience in system architecture technology areas such as Power Systems, Shared Resource Management, or Thermal Management.
Understanding of generative AI and machine-learning workloads, specifically Large Language Model inference and accelerator bottlenecks.
Experience in processor, accelerator, or system architecture including ISA design, microarchitecture, performance modeling, and hardware/software co-design.
Knowledge of DRAM and memory-controller architecture, protocols (LPDDR, HBM, DDR), and emerging technologies like 3D integration.
Expertise in data center SoC or system technologies such as RAS, ECC, security, networking (Ethernet/InfiniBand), and advanced packaging.
Programming ability for architecture modeling and automation using C++ and Python (preferred).
Experience with advanced systems like chiplets, PHYs, power/thermals, and platform management.
Remote (Santa Clara, CA)+34 days ago
$209,300–$313,900
SoC Architecture
CPU Microarchitecture
Performance Modeling
Linux
Firmware
Memory Management
PMU
Data Analysis
Scripting
System Configuration
I/O Subsystems