Engineering Group, Engineering Group Software Engineering

As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next‑generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting‑edge, world class products that meet and exceed customer needs.

Qualcomm Software

Engineers collaborate with systems, hardware, architecture, test engineers, and other teams to design system‑level software solutions and obtain information on performance requirements and interfaces.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.

Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.

PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.

4+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Firmware Engineer, Principal The Embedded Software / Firmware Team at Qualcomm develops critical embedded software that powers high‑performance multi‑standard Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) PHY IP used in next‑generation data center, AI/ML, automotive, and compute applications. Our SerDes IPs support standards such as PCIe, Ethernet, CXL, and are integrated into SoCs and ASICs built by leading semiconductor companies around the world.

The firmware team owns the full embedded software stack that controls the SerDes hardware, including low‑level embedded firmware, customer‑facing C SDKs, demo & automation scripts, and interactive tools. As a key enabler of silicon bring‑up, validation, and production deployment, we work closely with hardware, systems, DV, validation,



and application teams across the product lifecycle—from early development to high‑volume manufacturing.

Replacement

Position.

Python and C SDKs provided to customers for SerDes bring‑up, calibration, tuning, and diagnostics

Python‑based lab tools and GUIs for interactive debug, register access, and validation

Build, regression, and CI infrastructure to ensure code quality and full coverage

You’ll play a key leadership role in delivering robust, production‑quality firmware for SerDes PHY IP. You’ll help define architecture, drive features end‑to‑end, coordinate across cross‑functional teams, and directly influence the design and usability of Qualcomm's IP.

Technical or project lead for SerDes firmware on a major IP program, working with a team (2–8 engineers) through planning, development, validation, and customer delivery

Architecting and implementing embedded C/C++ firmware for hardware calibration, training algorithms, DSP adaptations, and link state management

Debugging complex lab and field issues in conjunction with hardware, applications, and validation teams

Driving and collaborating across functions to define FW milestones, plan sprints, close tickets, and ensure delivery of reliable and high‑quality features

Supporting development and silicon bring‑up across Qualcomm teams and other sites

Mentoring a junior engineer through a hard‑to‑reproduce PHY calibration bug seen in customer silicon

Developing architecture and state machines to handle multi‑lane synchronization or adaptive equalization across energetic conditions





Porting a high‑level MATLAB or Python SerDes calibration algorithm to optimized fixed‑point firmware

Working with IP hardware architects to influence future revisions based on field debug learnings

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

7+ years of experience in embedded C/C++ firmware development for hardware IP or SoCs

Technical or team leadership experience in embedded software projects from spec to production

Familiarity with git and modern software development methodologies

Experience with calibration algorithms, signal conditioning, and adaptive feedback control in hardware

Scripting in Python, Bash, etc. for lab automation and testing

Familiarity with digital design concepts (Verilog/SystemVerilog), simulation, and DV flows

Exposure to the OSI model, especially physical and data link layers

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑[email protected] request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited.

📌 Firmware Engineer, Principal Toronto, Ontario, Canada Software Engineering Flexible Location Posted a day ago
🏢 Qualcomm
📍 Toronto