Lead Roboticist Systems Integration and Test Engineer - Qualcomm Advanced Robotics Team
Qualcomm · San Diego, United States · 8d ago
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Multimedia SystemsGeneral Summary:
About Qualcomm Robotics
The Qualcomm Advanced Robotics Team is building the platform for next-generation robots—from AMRs and cobots to emerging humanoids.
We combine heterogeneouscompute(CPU/GPU/DSP/NPU) with a full robotics software stack forperception, planning, control, and fleet workflows. Our focus is on turning advances in AI,compute, and connectivity intoreal, working robotic systems.
About the Role
We are building a new robotics lab and are looking for atechnical leadto drive system integration and deployment of AI-powered robotic platforms.
This role focuses onowning the integration and validation of complete robot systems. You will lead efforts to take AI models, software components, and hardware platforms—and bring them together intoreliable, end-to-end robotic applications.
You will set direction for how systems are brought up, tested, and validated, while also being hands-on in the lab working directly with robots.
This role sits at the intersection of robotics, AI, and systems engineering, with a strong focus on making full systems work in real-world conditions.
What You’ll Do
Technical Leadership & Ownership
Lead system integration efforts across multiple robotic platforms
Define integration, testing, and validation strategies for robotics systems
Drive best practices for system bring-up, debugging, and reliability
Own overall system behavior and performance in the lab
System Integration & Deployment
Integrate perception, planning, control, and AI models into complete robot applications
Deploy advanced AI models (perception, VLA, reasoning) onto robotic hardware
Rapid prototyping tofacilitatequick bring-up of systems, including 3D printing, interfacing with mechanical and electrical teams, calibration,cablingand electronics assembly.
Debugging skills including power budgeting, ability to distinguish hardware from software issues, system identification, cabling/sensor/actuator debugging
Translate Qualcomm technologies (Dragonwing, AI Engine, compute, Wi-Fi, 5G) into working systems
System Bring-Up & Robot Ownership
Lead bring-up of new robot platforms (hardware + software)
Oversee configuration, maintenance, and readiness of lab robots
Ensure robots are stable, repeatable, and usable for development and demos
Testing& Validation
Define and execute system-level testing strategies (functional, integration, reliability)
Establish validation processes to ensure end-to-end functionality
Setup,maintenanceand operation of high-quality calibrationforandhigh-performance measurement systems
Drive identification and resolution of system-level failures
Debugging & Problem Solving
Lead debugging of complex cross-disciplinary issues (software, hardware, AI, control)
Guide teams in isolating and resolving integration bottlenecks
Ensure issues are addressed at root cause, not just symptoms
Collaboration & Execution
Work closely with AI, hardware, and platform teams to integrate new capabilities
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers working on system integration
Drive alignment between research, development, and deployment
Demo & Lab Readiness
Ensure robots are reliable and polished for internal and external demonstrations
Oversee demo readiness, including repeatability and performance consistency
Why Qualcomm
Lead the development of a new robotics lab and define how systems are built and tested
Work on real robotic platforms, not just simulations
Own system-level outcomes and see integrated systems come to life
Operate across AI, hardware, and robotics domains
Influence how advanced AI is deployed onto physical systems
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 3+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field
Significant experience working with real robotic systems
Strong background insystem integration, bring-up, and end-to-end debugging
Experience leading or owning complex technical systems or projects
Proven ability to integrate multiple components into working applications
Experience validating functionality of full robotic systems (not just components)
Familiarity with robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS/ROS2 or similar)
Strong hands-on engineering skills and comfort working in a robotics lab
MS strongly preferred(hands-on, project-based experience)
Experience in system integration & testing (SI&T), validation, or reliability engineering
Experience leading small teams or technical initiatives
Experience deploying AI models onto edge devices
Background across multiple domains (software, hardware, AI, systems)
Experience building demo platforms or reference systems
Familiarity with networking, connectivity, or distributed robotics systems
Experience with mobile robots, manipulators, or autonomous systems
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Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$186,700.00 - $280,100.00The 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.