Staff Software Engineer, Core AI Software

Qualcomm

Confirmed live 2 days ago Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: San Diego, CA
Salary: $158,400–$237,600 / yr
Posted: 136 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Closes: Oct 25, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $220k

This role $198k

$145k most similar roles pay here $280k

This role pays less than 66% of similar roles. Most pay $189,805–$250,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $198k versus about $220k 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.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Qualcomm

At a glance

TL;DR · Staff Software Engineer, Core AI Software

Role Posting Log in to save

Staff Software Engineer, Core AI Software (Mobile BU Focus) joins the AI Software team to develop core features within the Qualcomm AI Stack, specifically focusing on Qualcomm AI Runtime and Generative AI Inference Extensions. The role involves designing and implementing runtime framework components for executing advanced deep neural networks and large language models on Snapdragon platforms. You will optimize for execution efficiency, latency, power consumption, and stability while ensuring product readiness for mobile customers. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve complex system issues across software-hardware boundaries and improving developer tools and documentation. Required skills include proficiency in C/C++ development within Linux environments, a strong grasp of data structures and algorithms, and experience with CMake-based build systems. The work addresses the challenge of deploying high-performance AI inference on resource-constrained mobile devices and low-power hardware accelerators.

What does a Software Engineer earn in California?

Median $214000 from 775 postings across 63 companies.

See salary data

Skills

C++ C Linux Android Windows Deep Neural Networks CMake Git Agile Qualcomm AI Stack QNN Genie QAIRT Data Structures Algorithms

What you'll do

Lead the development of software for Qualcomm AI Stack SDKs including QAIRT and Genie.
Design and implement core AI runtime framework components for inference on resource-constrained mobile systems.
Optimize runtime efficiency, latency, power consumption, and stability for machine-learning workloads on low-power accelerators.
Perform root-cause analysis and debug complex system issues across software-hardware boundaries.
Validate and optimize software performance, accuracy, and robustness through testing of mobile AI use cases.
Improve internal and customer workflows regarding AI tools, SDKs, documentation, and developer experience.
Influence technical direction to enable customers and partners to deploy AI solutions on Qualcomm platforms.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
4+ years of experience with a Bachelor's, 3+ years with a Master's, or 2+ years with a PhD in a relevant engineering field.
5+ years of professional software development experience.
Strong proficiency in C/C++ software development and Linux environments.
Solid grounding in data structures, algorithms, software design principles, debugging, and testing.
Experience building embedded and systems-level software for mobile or edge platforms.
Familiarity with generative AI model architectures (e.g., LLMs) and hardware acceleration for AI inference.
Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Save