Staff Software Engineer
About The Position
As a Staff Software Engineer at Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc., you will contribute to the design, development, optimization, and commercialization of Linux kernel software for Qualcomm’s next-generation platforms. You will collaborate with cross-functional hardware and software teams and lead technical efforts in Dynamic Clock and Voltage Scaling (DCVS), Linux scheduling, and system-level power and performance optimization. The role focuses on Linux kernel and low-level system software for ARM- and RISC-V-based platforms, including pre-silicon development on FPGA-based platforms and QEMU. It involves proposing system architecture, maintaining technical documentation, debugging complex software issues, and contributing to upstream open-source development, including the Linux Kernel. You will serve as a technical expert and lead efforts to deliver scalable, maintainable, power- and performance-efficient solutions throughout the product lifecycle.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience; or a master's degree in one of these fields and 3+ years of related work experience; or a PhD in one of these fields and 2+ years of related work experience.
- 2+ years of work experience with a programming language such as C, C++, Java, or Python.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, with 5+ years of software development experience, or equivalent.
- Strong experience in Linux Kernel development, especially DCVS, schedulers, memory management, and device trees.
- Knowledge of ARM and RISC-V architectures and their extensions.
- Understanding of computer system architecture, including cores, caches, memory models, and bus architecture.
- Experience with board and SoC bring-up, device drivers, peripheral buses such as SPI, I2C, and USB, and DDR memory controllers.
- Familiarity with source control management tools such as Git and debugging technologies such as JTAG debuggers.
- Prior contributions to open-source projects such as the Linux Kernel.
- Strong debugging skills and practical experience with ARM-based platforms.
- Proficiency with tools and frameworks for system and software performance management.
- Hands-on experience with embedded-systems software development methodologies.
Responsibilities
- Develop and enhance Linux kernel features, including CPU scheduling, scheduler-driven performance management, and Dynamic Clock and Voltage Scaling (DCVS).
- Design and optimize scheduler and DCVS technologies for next-generation ARM-based systems to improve performance, power efficiency, and responsiveness.
- Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-performance, scalable software solutions.
- Debug and resolve complex software issues using tools such as JTAG debuggers.
- Contribute to upstream open-source projects, including the Linux Kernel; review kernel changes, drive patches upstream, and collaborate with maintainers and the open-source community.
- Drive system software improvements for ARM- and RISC-V-based platforms.
- Analyze system requirements, propose corresponding system architecture, and create and maintain technical documentation for architecture, requirements, and development processes.
- Perform pre-silicon development on FPGA-based platforms and QEMU.
- Design, develop, and deliver critical Linux kernel features and platform software for Qualcomm-based systems, integrating, optimizing, and maintaining them throughout the product lifecycle.
- Lead cross-functional teams in implementing scalable, power- and performance-efficient, maintainable, and upstream-aligned solutions.
- Identify and resolve complex kernel and system-level issues, including performance and power bottlenecks, scheduling behavior, concurrency issues, and hardware/software/firmware integration challenges.
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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
