This role pays more than
86%
of similar roles. Most pay
$172,350–$231,000
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$251k
versus about
$202k
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
623 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$148,300–$222,500
across 603 roles with salary data.
As a Principal Software Engineer, AI Software Automotive Lead, you will join the Machine Learning Engineering team to drive the design, development, and deployment of advanced AI technologies for automotive platforms. You will serve as the primary technical interface between the AI Software organization and the Automotive Business Unit, collaborating with customers and internal teams to translate requirements into technical roadmaps. Your daily work involves leading cross-functional efforts to deliver features for computer vision, perception systems, voice assistants, and large language models while ensuring compliance with automotive safety and quality standards. You will utilize C/C++, Python, and frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow to optimize model inference on heterogeneous architectures. Key technical focus areas include CNNs, Transformers, and multimodal AI applications within environments such as QNX, Android Automotive, and Linux to solve complex problems in the automotive ecosystem.
Serve as the primary technical lead for AI software interactions with automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
Translate customer requirements into technical specifications, architecture proposals, and engineering execution plans.
Lead the design, development, and integration of AI features for digital cockpit, ADAS, and voice AI applications.
Drive architectural decisions and roadmap planning for the Qualcomm AI software stack.
Optimize AI models and inference workflows for performance, reliability, and safety in automotive environments.
Resolve technical limitations within the AI software stack to deliver production-ready solutions.
Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance on complex architecture, optimization, and debugging challenges.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field with 8+ years of experience; Master's with 7+ years; or PhD with 6+ years.
Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ software development (preferred).
Strong software architecture and design skills including distributed systems, performance optimization, and lifecycle management (preferred).
Experience in automotive software platforms such as QNX, Android Automotive, Linux, or AUTOSAR (preferred).
Familiarity with automotive safety and quality standards like ISO 26262, ASPICE, and ISO/SAE 21434 (preferred).
Experience with AI/ML frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX, JAX, or equivalent (preferred).
Experience with model optimization techniques such as quantization, compression, pruning, and inference acceleration on heterogeneous architectures (preferred).
Experience delivering software for automotive production programs with OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers (preferred).