Modem System Test Engineer – 6G/5G Air Interface

Qualcomm • San Diego, CA

2d • $134,600 - $202,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a motivated engineer to join its Modem System Test team in San Diego. The role contributes to developing next-generation wireless technologies, including 5G NR and emerging 6G systems, and may apply AI/ML techniques to end products and engineering workflows. The engineer collaborates with software development, system design, hardware design, and RF design teams to integrate, test, characterize, certify, and commercialize modem products for global markets. This hands-on, lab-based position impacts the quality, performance, and commercialization of modem products for mobile devices and networks.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of digital and wireless communication systems, signal processing, and RF propagation.
• Strong understanding of physical-layer procedures such as signal detection, channel estimation, link adaptation, mmWave beam refinement, and massive MIMO.
• Knowledge of 5G NR PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC protocols.
• Knowledge of OFDMA, Wi-Fi, and LTE.
• Knowledge of air-interface performance analysis, characterization, and optimization.
• Experience with protocol-simulator call boxes and channel emulators for wireless product verification.
• Exposure to 5G infrastructure vendor-specific 5G NR call flows, including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, and Samsung.
• Programming skills in Python and MATLAB.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts and their application to digital communications.

Responsibilities

• Validate end-to-end system functionality and performance across the cellular protocol stack, including PHY, MAC/RLC/PDCP, RRC, NAS, and TCP/IP.
• Define modem key performance indicators and evaluate system performance using conducted, radiated, and live 6G/5G network testing; optimize performance based on test data.
• Develop and execute system-level test strategies, methodologies, and test plans for modem features and use cases.
• Analyze 3GPP specifications and carrier requirements and translate them into validation scenarios and test coverage.
• Analyze logs, debug modem issues, and investigate root causes across laboratory and field environments.
• Support feature integration, certification, and commercialization of global wireless products.

Benefits

• Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
• Opportunity for annual RSU grants, except for employees on sales-incentive plans.
• Competitive benefits package designed to support employees at work, at home, and at play.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time