#5G/6G Modem Software Engineer
Qualcomm · San Diego, United States · 2d ago
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Modem Technologies SoftwareGeneral Summary:
** This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship. **
Qualcomm Technologies (QCT) is the world's leading innovator in wireless connectivity and intelligent computing, powering the devices and infrastructure at the heart of the 5G era. Our Snapdragon platforms — spanning smartphones, automotive, IoT, and XR — integrate advanced 5G modem-RF systems with on-device AI to deliver breakthrough experiences at the connected intelligent edge. QCT partners with 100+ network operators worldwide and maintains the industry's largest modem engineering organization, driving the standards and technologies behind 5G-Advanced and the path toward 6G.
As a member of the Modem SW team, you will design and develop modem software that powers 5G/6G NR connectivity across Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset portfolio. You will work across protocol stack layers (L1/L2/L3) to implement 3GPP-compliant features, develop real-time scheduling and resource management algorithms, and use custom scripting languages to dynamically reconfigure the modem in response to real-time network conditions, device states, and AI-driven optimization signals. You will also architect next-generation frameworks that enable our OEM and operator partners to deliver differentiated 5G experiences. Your work will directly influence how billions of devices connect, communicate, and leverage on-device intelligence.
We are looking for engineers with a strong foundation in C/C++ software design and real-time embedded systems, deep understanding of wireless communication principles, a sharp problem-solving mindset, and a passion for shaping the future of wireless connectivity and AI-powered communications.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.Responsibilities
- Design, develop, debug, and optimize modem firmware/software for LTE, 5G-Advanced protocol stack layers and early 6G research prototyping
- Develop and maintain real-time embedded software on proprietary RTOS (QuRT) with strict latency and throughput constraints
- Collaborate with systems, architecture, and hardware teams on modem bring-up, integration, and performance optimization
- Analyze and resolve complex field issues, interoperability problems, and network-specific behaviors using protocol logs, trace tools, and debuggers
- Write and maintain unit tests, integration tests, and automation scripts to ensure software quality
- Participate in code reviews, design discussions and technical documentation
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics/Communication Engineering, or a related field
- 1–2 years of academic or industry experience in C/C++ programming
- Foundational understanding of embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and data structures & algorithms
- Basic knowledge of wireless communication concepts (OFDM, MIMO, channel coding) or digital signal processing fundamentals
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics/Communication, or Wireless Communications
- 2+ years of industry experience in embedded software development for wireless/telecom systems
- Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as QuRT, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, or Zephyr
- Strong software design and object-oriented design/implementation skills (design patterns, SOLID principles)
- Working knowledge of 3GPP 5G NR / LTE specifications (TS 38.xxx / TS 36.xxx series)
- Experience with modem protocol stack development, state machines, or wireless protocol implementation
- Familiarity with AI/ML fundamentals and interest in applying machine learning to modem optimization (e.g., adaptive scheduling, predictive resource management, beam prediction, link adaptation)
- Understanding of scripting or domain-specific languages for system configuration and modem parametrization
- Experience with debugging and performance profiling in embedded environments (JTAG, Trace32/Lauterbach, QXDM, log analysis tools)
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git/Perforce), CI/CD pipelines, and Agile development practices
- Knowledge of multi-threading, concurrency, inter-process communication, and memory management in resource-constrained environments
- Experience with simulation/emulation environments or lab equipment
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Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$114,500.00 - $171,700.00The 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.