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Sr. Staff/Principal Engineer - Low Power Chip Architect / System Engineer

Qualcomm · San Diego, California, United States of America

Posted 2026-08-18 · Verified live 2026-09-19

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About this role

<h2><br><b>Company:</b></h2>Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.<p></p><h2><b>Job Area:</b></h2>Engineering Group, Engineering Group &gt; ASICS Engineering<p></p><p><u><b>General Summary:</b></u></p><p>We are seeking a senior-level <b>Low Power Chip Architect / System Engineer</b> with deep expertise in <b>mixed-signal IC and system design</b> and a proven record of <b>chip-level technical leadership</b>. This is a high-impact role responsible for defining the architecture, driving transistor-level design, and enabling system-level integration of <b>ultra-low-power integrated circuits (ICs)</b> for <b>Robotics and Industrial IoT (IIoT)</b> applications.</p><p></p><p>The successful candidate will bridge <b>high-performance Analog Front Ends (AFEs)</b> with digital logic and firmware, leading programs from <b>initial architecture and specification through simulation, verification, tape-out, and early silicon bring-up</b>. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, sound architectural judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments.</p><p></p><p></p><p><b>Responsibilities:</b></p><p><u>Architecture &amp; Technical Leadership</u></p><ul><li>Define and support <b>end-to-end system architecture</b>, including partitioning across analog, digital, firmware, and system domains</li><li>Drive architectural trade-offs across <b>power, performance, noise, latency, and silicon area</b></li><li>Partner with chip leads and system leads from concept definition through <b>silicon bring-up and validation</b></li></ul><p></p><p><u>Mixed-Signal Design &amp; Integration</u></p><ul><li>Lead feasibility studies and <b>transistor-level design</b> of mixed-signal building blocks including ADCs, DACs, PLLs/DLLs, LDOs, and SerDes</li><li>Architect and integrate <b>ultra-low-power AFEs</b> optimized for battery-operated IIoT and Robotics sensor ASICs</li><li>Drive full-chip execution in collaboration with internal teams and <b>third-party IP vendors and design houses</b></li></ul><p></p><p><u>Modeling, Verification &amp; Silicon Execution</u></p><ul><li>Develop <b>behavioral and system-level models</b> using MATLAB/Simulink (or equivalent tools) to evaluate noise, linearity, and SNR</li><li>Perform comprehensive <b>pre-silicon verification</b> across PVT corners using industry-standard simulators</li><li>Support <b>post-silicon bring-up, characterization, and reliability qualification</b>, including HTOL and burn-in</li><li>Collaborate with packaging, test, and system teams to ensure successful productization</li></ul><p></p><p><u>System &amp; Application Enablement</u></p><ul><li>Support <b>multi-modal sensor data acquisition, sensor fusion, and edge AI inference</b> workflows</li><li>Contribute to hardware–software integration for efficient system-level deployment</li></ul><p></p><p><u><b>Minimum Qualifications:</b></u></p>• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 8+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.<br> OR<br>Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 7+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.<br> OR<br>PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.<p></p><p></p><ul></ul><p><b>Preferred Qualifications:</b></p><ul><li><b>Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or related field)</b> with <b>8+ years</b> of post-degree industrial IC/system design experience OR</li><li><b>M.S. in Electrical Engineering (or related field)</b> with <b>10–12+ years</b> of industrial IC/system design experience</li><li>Strong expertise in <b>low-power analog and mixed-signal (AMS) IC design</b></li><li>Hands-on experience with <b>Cadence Virtuoso, AMS sims, verilog</b> and related analog design tools</li><li>Proficiency with <b>Spectre, HSPICE</b>, and board-level simulation methodologies</li><li>Solid understanding of <b>PDKs, LVS, DRC, and PEX</b> flows</li><li>Proven experience with <b>ESD and reliability standards</b> (HBM, CDM, TLP)</li><li>Advanced academic background in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field</li><li>Extensive industry experience in <b>mixed-signal IC and system-level design</b></li><li>Demonstrated experience as a <b>Chip Lead, System Architect, or Technical Lead</b></li><li>Proven ability to drive end-to-end silicon programs from concept to production</li><li>Strong capability to work independently and provide technical direction with minimal supervision</li><li>Experience with <b>digital design flows</b>, including synthesis and timing analysis</li><li>Familiarity with <b>firmware development and software integration</b></li><li>Working knowledge of embedded interfaces such as <b>I2C, I3C, SPI, and MIPI</b></li><li>Proficiency in <b>Python</b> or similar scripting languages</li><li>Experience with <b>deep submicron CMOS technologies</b> and low-power fabrication processes</li><li>Exposure to <b>IC packaging, board-level validation, and system bring-up</b></li><li>Background in <b>sensor systems, sensor fusion, or edge AI applications</b></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p><b>Soft Skills:</b></p><ul><li>Strong <b>technical leadership and ownership mindset</b></li><li>Excellent <b>cross-functional communication and collaboration skills</b></li><li>Ability to <b>mentor and guide engineers</b> across analog, digital, layout, and system domains</li><li>Strong <b>analytical and problem-solving abilities</b></li><li>Comfortable making <b>architecture-level decisions under ambiguity</b></li><li>Effective at managing <b>external vendors, IP providers, and design partners</b></li><li>Results-driven with a strong focus on execution and quality</li></ul><p></p><p><b>** Position requires to be onsite in San Diego, 5 days a week. **</b></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. 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&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a>&nbsp;or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found&nbsp;<a href="https://qualcomm.service-now.com/hrpublic?id=hr_public_article_view&amp;sysparm_article=KB0039028" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. Upon 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. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).</p><p></p><p></p><p><b>To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies</b>:&nbsp;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. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.</p><p><b>EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.</b></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p></p><p><b>Pay range </b><b>and Other Compensation &amp; Benefits</b><b>: </b></p>$192,000.00 - $288,000.00<p></p><p>The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm.&nbsp; We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus).&nbsp; In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this&nbsp;<a href="https://secure-web.cisco.com/12dSRK2Rv2BLs82tpwDIWbiIUl-i98Bz7rRRVxcN6qa7Qli-INbv0fpz4yUu06mlX9VYFd3vscb7TeX0JNz7BC9w3OvnlmHfXdZB1J3-01baO99qUjTOsGBxu8o3he-yBMtaQlF1TE3-vQtrpW4lUPMnSnTI246LZTZgsyCyDT_MuHsrvlJSxx4yBCcjnDdYuCy0PCUABDhfhvOlhdubErcCDUMp9O-RUoHl4WQ6OhAasmuuZITZorC1Yt0GpYLmfly0bXb2hLBZberjmiT6wDkWT5wyqSuH7yHBaM-0ARNTNLLV4AZ_qZE4k9rl24d3Y9CZC14RRiu198VTP-Lx9zee2pfRx15exBSTRhJwEe1JlVXen9jW79DAXHJLu9oP9fEpGEPzBufcasieRAMMZ_hxF_CO-zysnXuBr2iS4-zfIETonK9Jcx2BA_ZqHMiJtCp-QK30kJlGrRvs_ycYXsAmFOFITxRDnUbukzMsxK8UaN2D4ufDUgSsx161_2XhxK4pRsmjZrH1HEO4RpJSdXA/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.qualcomm.com%2Fcompany%2Fcareers%2Fbenefits" rel="noopener noreferrer">link</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p>If you would like more information about this role, please contact <a href="http://www.qualcomm.com/contact/corporate" rel="noopener noreferrer">Qualcomm Careers</a>.</p>

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