Staff Software Engineer – Platform Debug

Qualcomm•Austin, TX

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled Software Platform Debug Engineer to design, develop, and debug low‑level software that enables and supports debug visibility on high‑performance server platforms. These debug features include both dynamic debug (e.g., peek/poke) and post‑mortem (crash) capabilities. In this role, you will work close to the hardware/software boundary, solving complex system‑level issues across firmware, operating systems, platform software, and host tooling. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions that meet demanding performance and reliability requirements. This position is suitable for Senior‑ or Staff‑level engineers who demonstrate strong technical ownership, deep systems knowledge, and the ability to influence technical direction. This is a replacement headcount.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of experience building software stacks for high‑performance systems
5+ years of experience in debug software development (tools, firmware, applications)
Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering
10+ years of experience building and debugging software for high‑performance platforms
Experience with ARM debug architectures or frameworks
Experience designing and/or supporting debug capabilities in complex SoCs and high‑performance CPU architectures, including:
JTAG debug and tooling
High‑performance trace
System crash analysis
Strong understanding of computer architecture, including:
High‑performance server designs
Hardware/software interfaces
Proficiency in C and assembly language
Systems programming experience using Python or similar languages
Familiarity with modern build systems and distributed version control workflows
Experience developing and debugging:
Platform and system software
Firmware and boot software
Debug and diagnostic tools

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain software to support debug functionality across multiple system layers
Troubleshoot and resolve highly complex software defects across integrated components
Analyze system behavior by gathering and correlating information across modules, subsystems, and interfaces
Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to identify root causes and deliver effective fixes
Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation strategies clearly to project leads and stakeholders
Identify design or implementation gaps and proactively drive solutions
Contribute technical input and solution strategies during design and debug reviews
Develop and execute unit and integration tests to ensure stability and functional correctness
Perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive technical feedback
Manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables for small‑ to medium‑sized initiatives