Software Engineer - Qualcomm Advanced Robotics Team - Multiple levels

Qualcomm

Actively hiring

Santa Clara, CA · San Diego, CA Posted 82 days ago Apply by Sep 9, 2026 $180,600–$271,000 / year

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At a glance

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TL;DR

As a Senior Software Engineer on Qualcomm’s Advanced Robotics Team, you will lead the development of the company's AI-first robotics software platform, focusing on defining end-to-end architecture for middleware and services like ROS 2/DDS, while ensuring high performance and low power consumption on Qualcomm SoCs. Your daily tasks include developing the platform roadmap, conducting technical design reviews, and driving real-world validation using sim-in-the-loop techniques. You will optimize heterogeneous compute resources and guide teams on concurrency and memory budgets, championing safety practices aligned with industry standards. Additionally, you will mentor senior engineers and engage with customers to clarify requirements and integrate solutions, shaping the software heart of a rapidly growing robotics portfolio used across various industries. The role requires expertise in C++, Python, ROS 2, and DDS, along with deep knowledge in areas like SLAM, semantic mapping, and on-device AI optimization.

Skills

C++ Python ROS 2 DDS Linux MCU/RTOS Heterogeneous SoCs Camera/ISP Performance Engineering CI/CD SLAM Visual-Inertial Odometry Semantic Mapping Planning & Controls Manipulation Qualcomm Robotics Stacks On-Device AI Real-Time Systems

What you'll do

Develop software architecture for Qualcomm Robotics platform interfaces, runtime, QoS, and safety across Linux + MCU subsystems.
Drive technical design reviews and roadmap development for perception, mapping, navigation, manipulation, and SDK components.
Optimize heterogeneous compute (CPU/GPU/DSP/NPU) and camera pipeline/ISP for on-device AI performance and power efficiency.
Champion safety & reliability practices in robotics software, ensuring compliance with relevant standards like ISO 26262/IEC 61508.
Mentor senior engineers and set technical direction for core platform, perception, controls, and SDK development.

What we're looking for

5+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on robotics platforms.
Expertise in C++, Python, ROS 2, and DDS (QoS, discovery, message design).
Deep knowledge in SLAM/visual-inertial odometry, dense/stereo depth, semantic mapping.
Strong background in Linux for robotics, real-time systems, and MCU/RTOS interactions.
Experience with performance engineering on heterogeneous SoCs and camera stacks.
BS/MS in CS, EE, Robotics or related field; PhD preferred.
Track record of leading large cross-functional efforts and delivering SDKs.

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $167k

This role $226k

$99k most similar roles pay here $289k

This role pays more than 92% of similar roles. Most pay $135,245–$198,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $226k versus about $167k 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 595 open roles on FindRole.

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA 18 days ago

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