Software Engineer (San Diego, Boulder)

Qualcomm • San Diego, CA

5d • $109,400 - $164,200

About The Position

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s Wireless R&D group develops a Test Base Station (TBS) used to verify QCT mobile chipset functionality. The Software Engineer will collaborate with an experienced, diverse team to implement and verify complex wireless systems and develop features for the 5G/6G TBS product. The team builds sophisticated, multi-threaded software in C++ as a Linux service, with fast-paced development supported by continuous integration processes and systems.

The role focuses on 5G/6G Radio Access Network (RAN) Layer 2 functionality, including MAC, RLC, PDCP, and SDAP. The engineer will develop features from 3GPP specifications through commercialization and work across Layer 3 (RRC) and Layer 1 (PHY) interfaces.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in software design and development using C++, or strong C programming experience with familiarity in object-oriented concepts.
• Experience with the full software development life cycle.
• Familiarity with 3GPP 4G/5G specifications and the ability to read and understand specifications and translate them into requirements.
• Familiarity with developing and working in a Linux environment.
• Knowledge of multi-core and multi-threaded programming and associated operating system concepts.
• Familiarity with industry-standard software development and debugging tools, including IDEs, build systems, git, and gdb.
• Familiarity with AI-based tools or agentic workflows to improve work productivity.
• Strong analytical, debugging, and communication skills, and ability to work effectively across distributed cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience designing and developing LTE/5G Layer 2 (MAC, RLC, PDCP, SDAP) or RAN software.
• Experience with real-time scheduling, DPDK, or performance tuning on multi-core platforms.
• Familiarity with modern C++ (17/20/23).
• Hands-on Python experience.

Responsibilities

• Own 5G/6G Radio Access Network (RAN) Layer 2 responsibilities covering MAC, RLC, PDCP, and SDAP.
• Drive 3GPP 5G/6G feature development from specification through commercialization.
• Design and develop Layer 2 functionality, including downlink and uplink channel configuration, data-plane functionality, and call flows.
• Implement and optimize fixed and dynamic downlink and uplink channel schedulers and data-plane paths.
• Interface with NodeB Layer 3 (RRC) and Layer 1 (PHY) components.
• Develop real-time-sensitive, multi-core, multi-threaded software for the NodeB.
• Debug, profile, and optimize software for latency, throughput, and reliability on the target platform.

Benefits

• Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
• Opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for the annual bonus).
• Competitive benefits package designed to support employees at work, at home, and at play.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level