Rack Systems Architect
Qualcomm · Santa Clara, United States · 8d ago
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Systems EngineeringGeneral Summary:
Our Mission
Qualcomm Data Center team is developing High performance, Energy efficient server solution for data center applications. We are looking for highly talented, innovative, teamwork-oriented individuals for our cutting-edge technology work!
Our Mission We are dedicated to transforming the industry by reimagining silicon and developing next-generation computing platforms. By joining our team, you’ll collaborate with world-class engineers to create innovative solutions that push the limits of performance, energy efficiency, and scalability. Our focus is on developing reference platforms based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon SoC, delivering a comprehensive solution that includes hardware, software, reference designs, user guides, SDKs, and more.
Overview
We are hiring a Rack Systems Architect to define and deliver rack-scale compute systems for next-generation data center platforms. This role owns end-to-end rack architecture, spanning compute, networking, power, and cooling, and translates platform capabilities into scalable, deployment-ready solutions.
Operating at the intersection of silicon, systems, and infrastructure, you will drive architecture from concept through production—balancing performance, scalability, reliability, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
Why This Role Matters
You will define the building blocks of modern data center infrastructure—architecting rack-scale systems that directly impact performance, efficiency, and deployment at scale. Your work enables next-generation platforms to move from silicon to real-world production environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and own rack-scale architecture, including compute topology, networking fabric, power distribution, and rack integration
- Develop OCP-aligned Rack Level Designs (RLDs), including ORv3-based architectures
- Lead rack-level power architecture (48V/54V), including redundancy, efficiency, and scalability
- Define rack-level networking and interconnect architectures (Ethernet, PCIe, emerging fabrics)
- Partner with thermal teams on cooling architecture (liquid cooling, air cooling) and system-level trade-offs
- Drive rack integration: mechanical layout, cabling, serviceability, manufacturability
- Collaborate with software and firmware teams on rack management, telemetry, observability, and validation strategy
- Ensure systems are deployment-ready, with focus on reliability, serviceability, and operational efficiency
- Evaluate and drive adoption of emerging technologies (CXL, rack-scale disaggregation, next-gen interconnects)
- Author architecture specifications, design documents, and trade-off analyses
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in data center hardware, system architecture, or infrastructure design
- Proven experience with rack-scale or system-level architecture and integration
- Strong expertise in power, thermal, and networking trade-offs at system scale
- Solid understanding of high-speed architectures (PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, DDR)
- Experience leading cross-functional architecture across hardware, software, and systems teams
- Strong communication and technical leadership skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a relevant field
- 15+ years of experience in platform and rack-scale architecture
- Deep knowledge of OCP standards and ORv3 rack architectures
- Experience delivering rack-scale systems in production data center environments
- Expertise in rack-level power systems and energy efficiency optimization
- Experience with liquid cooling technologies (DLC, RDHx, immersion)
- Exposure to CXL, composable infrastructure, or rack-scale disaggregation
- Experience working with OEMs/ODMs and hyperscale ecosystems
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of 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 disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com 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).
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Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$221,100.00 - $331,700.00The 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.