Linux & Firmware Developer Qualcomm Custom CPU Post-Silicon Team

Company: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

General Summary:

Qualcomm’s Custom CPU Post-Silicon team is seeking an experienced Linux and Firmware Developer to help shape the future of high-performance computing. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain bare-metal firmware and Linux-based software stacks for our next-generation custom CPU platforms.

What You’ll Work On

• Firmware & Kernel Development: Design, implement, optimize and maintain Linux kernel modules, device drivers, bootloaders, and bare-metal firmware for custom CPU-based hardware and emulation platforms.
• Board Support Packages (BSP): Develop and maintain BSPs for new and existing hardware platforms, including bootloaders, kernel configuration and device tree
• Hardware Bring-Up: Collaborate with hardware engineers to enable software to stack on silicon and emulation platforms, debug hardware-software interactions, and ensure seamless integration.
• System Optimization: Analyze and resolve issues related to system performance, memory usage, power consumption, and reliability.
• Debug & Troubleshoot: Diagnose complex technical issues across Linux OS, drivers, and high-level operating systems (Ubuntu, Android, QNX and Windows.
• Open-Source Strategy: Provide architectural guidance and establish processes for open-source software delivery, including CI/CD pipelines and testing frameworks.
• Continuous Innovation: Stay current with Linux development trends and emerging open-source technologies.
• Documentation: Create clear technical documentation for designs, code, and test procedures.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, software, and product teams to define requirements and deliver high-quality integrated solutions.

What You Bring

• Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 8+ years in bare-metal and Linux development.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ for systems.
  • Experience with Python, shell scripting, CMake, and toolchains.
  • Solid understanding of ARM SoC/CPU architecture.
  • Deep knowledge of Linux internals (drivers, kernel modules, device tree, scheduler, DVFS, power management).
  • Experience with Linux distributions and build systems (Yocto, Android, Ubuntu).
  • Hands-on experience with debugging tools (GDB, JTAG, oscilloscopes).
  • Ability to interpret hardware schematics and datasheets.
  • Knowledge of hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Ethernet, CAN, GPIO).
  • Experience with Git, GitHub/GitLab, CI/CD for Linux build automation , Docker.
  • Strong technical documentation skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Linux kernel upstream process.
• Exposure to desktop (ACPI CPPC) and mobile (SCMI) processor power and performance communication interfaces
• Chip/SoC bring-up on silicon, hard (Palladium) and soft (QEMU/KVM) emulation, and simulation platforms (SystemC)
• ARMv8/ARMv9 architecture and ARM assembly language expertise.
• Exposure RISC-V architecture.
• Familiarity with open-source bootloaders and firmware (UEFI EDK2, coreboot, U-Boot, LK, TF-A, Zephyr RTOS).

Why Join Qualcomm?

You’ll work on cutting-edge CPU platforms , collaborate with world-class engineers, and contribute to innovations that power modern computing. If you thrive on solving complex technical challenges and shaping next-generation systems, we want you on our team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.

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 [email protected] or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . 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).

To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : 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.

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.

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.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :

$198,700.00 - $298,100.00

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. 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). 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 link .

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .