Security Software Engineer

Qualcomm

Confirmed live 2 days ago Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: San Diego, CA
Salary: $134,800–$202,200 / yr
Posted: 89 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Closes: Dec 12, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $182k

This role $168k

$121k most similar roles pay here $235k

This role pays more than 50% of similar roles. Most pay $150,000–$213,125 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $168k versus about $182k 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 621 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $147,900–$222,500 across 601 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Qualcomm

At a glance

TL;DR · Security Software Engineer

Role Posting Log in to save

QGOV Security Software Engineer works with established teams to research, design, and implement software security solutions for government partners. The role involves performing end-to-end vulnerability research against software stacks, developing tools to assist in that research, and creating embedded software solutions to meet specific customer requirements. Daily responsibilities include conducting code reviews, performing regression tests, triaging issues, and writing technical documentation regarding vulnerabilities and mitigations. Candidates must possess expertise in C, C++, Java, or Python, along with experience in embedded software engineering. Technical skills required include knowledge of x86 and ARM architectures, Linux fundamentals, and tools such as gdb, strace, ltrace, objdump, readelf, Trace32/JTAG, and Android Debug Bridge. The role also requires proficiency in IDA Pro or Ghidra, source code management via Git, and utilizing Large Language Models to augment reverse engineering workflows.

Skills

C C++ Java Python x86 ARM Linux gdb strace ltrace objdump readelf Trace32 JTAG Git Android Debug Bridge (ADB) IDA Pro Ghidra Reverse Engineering LLMs

What you'll do

Perform end-to-end software vulnerability research against software stacks to identify and mitigate risks.
Design and implement custom software tools to assist in the vulnerability research process.
Develop embedded software solutions tailored to meet specific customer requirements.
Conduct code reviews and regression tests to ensure high software quality.
Triage technical issues and bugs identified during the development or testing phases.
Write technical documentation describing discovered software vulnerabilities and their corresponding mitigations.

What we're looking for

Active TOP SECRET clearance.
Bachelor's degree with 4+ years experience, Master's with 3+ years, or PhD with 2+ years in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field.
At least 2 years of work experience with programming languages such as C, C++, Java, or Python.
3+ years of embedded software engineering or related work experience.
Advanced knowledge of Linux fundamentals and standard tools like gdb, strace, ltrace, objdump, and readelf.
Proficiency in software based reverse engineering using IDA Pro or Ghidra.
Experience identifying and remediating security vulnerabilities.
Knowledge of x86 and ARM architectures including calling conventions, registers usage, and memory management.