Wireless Firmware Engineer

Qualcomm

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
San Diego, CA
Salary
$109,400–$164,200 / yr
Posted
6 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday
Closes
Mar 17, 2027

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $205k
This role $137k
$93k most similar roles pay here $267k

This role pays less than 92% of similar roles. Most pay $168,500–$241,750 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $137k versus about $205k 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 605 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $155,400–$233,100 across 582 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Qualcomm

At a glance

TL;DR · Wireless Firmware Engineer

As a Wireless Firmware Engineer within the Cellular Technologies Software group, you will join the Qualcomm Research division to develop and integrate embedded software for advanced features, algorithms, and protocols on new compute, baseband, and RF platforms. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software across the full development lifecycle, focusing on performance optimization in real-time systems and creating high-quality technical documentation. The role requires proficiency in C/C++ programming, multi-threading, and OS fundamentals to support research-grade prototypes and early-stage platforms. You will work with cross-functional teams to address challenges in 6G wireless, including signal processing on GPUs and DSPs, as well as developing device drivers for new hardware. This role focuses on the technical characterization of advanced technologies like multi-modal sensing and next-generation communication protocols within a fast-paced research environment.

What you'll do

  • Design, develop, integrate, and maintain embedded software across the full development lifecycle.
  • Optimize performance and timing constraints in real-time embedded systems.
  • Create and maintain high-quality technical documentation including design descriptions and architecture specifications.
  • Implement and optimize signal processing algorithms on general purpose and heterogeneous processors like GPUs and DSPs.
  • Develop device drivers and perform bring-up for new hardware platforms.
  • Debug complex software issues and perform system performance optimizations.
  • Research and implement firmware/software to support 6G, 5G NR, and 802.11 wireless technologies.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Proficiency in C/C++ programming.
  • Understanding of multi-threading and OS fundamentals.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to communicate technical ideas and work status clearly in both verbal and written formats.
  • Master's degree or 2 years of experience in fields related to Embedded Software Engineering (preferred).
  • Knowledge of wireless communication theory and systems such as 5G NR and 802.11 (preferred).
  • Experience in signal processing, device drivers, and system performance optimization (preferred).

More like this

Similar roles

Senior Wireless Firmware Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA 7 days ago $129,500–$194,300
C C++ Embedded Software 5G NR 802.11 Signal Processing Device Drivers Multi-threading Firmware System Architecture
3+ yrs exp

Wireless Firmware Staff Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA 7 days ago $155,400–$233,200
C C++ Embedded Software 5G NR 802.11 Signal Processing Device Drivers Firmware Multi-threading OS Fundamentals System Performance Optimization
4+ yrs exp

Wireless Subsystem Test and Software Tools Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA 6 days ago $109,400–$164,200
C++ Python Linux CI/CD Docker Kubernetes Helm 5G NR LTE 802.11 Embedded Software Multi-threading Network Protocols Test Automation Virtualization cloud-computing Spectrum Analyzer
2+ yrs exp

Senior Embedded DSP Software Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA 7 days ago $133,900–$200,900
C C++ Embedded Software DSP NPU Driver Development Computer Architecture PCIe Windows MCDM Machine Learning Firmware Multi-core Multi-threading
2+ yrs exp

Wireless RF PHY Firmware Engineer

Apple Inc

Irvine, CA 148 days ago $122,700–$214,300
C Assembly Python ARM RTOS Bluetooth WLAN ZigBee UWB FPGA Logic Analyzers Oscilloscopes Network Analyzers Spectrum Analyzers NumPy SciPy Bare-metal Firmware Signal Processing

Wireless RF PHY Firmware Engineer

Apple Inc

Sunnyvale, CA 148 days ago $129,300–$225,300
C Assembly Python ARM RTOS Bluetooth WLAN ZigBee UWB FPGA Logic Analyzers Oscilloscopes Spectrum Analyzers Signal Generators NumPy SciPy Bare-metal