DSP Systems Engineer, Staff
QualcommJob Title
DSP Systems Engineer, Staff
Role Summary
Senior systems engineer responsible for DSP algorithm development, modeling, and silicon validation for high-speed SerDes. Works across DSP, RTL, firmware, and post-silicon teams to deliver production-grade SerDes solutions used in datacenter and networking products.
Experience Level
Senior-level. Preferred 8+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent senior experience; see Education Requirements for formal degree/experience alternatives).
Responsibilities
The core responsibilities focus on DSP design, modeling, and validation for high-speed SerDes.
- Design and refine DSP features and architectures for high-speed SerDes; participate in implementation and design reviews.
- Develop and maintain bit-accurate and cycle-accurate MATLAB models for RTL verification, pre-silicon estimation, and post-silicon correlation.
- Research and analyze algorithms across equalization, adaptation, CDR, noise mitigation, linearity, and FEC to balance power, performance, and area.
- Develop DSP diagnostic features and metrics (SNR, BER, eye monitoring, jitter) to identify design limits and drive improvements.
- Partner with Firmware, DV, and Post-Silicon teams by producing theory-of-operation documents, pseudocode, and sequences to support bring-up and lab debug.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items listed separately.
- Proficient in MATLAB, Python, and C/C++; embedded firmware experience strongly desired.
- Strong RTL and digital design fundamentals; capable of running simulations, performing code reviews, and systematic debugging.
- Proven DSP architecture knowledge in mixed-signal SerDes: adaptation/calibration, clocking, equalization, and FEC.
- Experience developing diagnostic tools and analyzing BER, SNR, jitter, and eye characteristics for root-cause isolation.
- Familiarity with post-silicon debug, effects of voltage/temperature, ADCs, and noise/transfer function analysis.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and clear technical communication (theory docs, pseudocode, diagnostic summaries).
- Preferred: hands-on experience with DSP-based PCIe, 112G, 224G or higher-speed SerDes shipping in products.
Education Requirements
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field plus 4+ years systems engineering experience; OR Master's plus 3+ years; OR PhD plus 2+ years. Preferred: 8+ years experience, or Bachelor's with 10+ years. Related technical degrees or equivalent practical experience are acceptable.
About the Company
Company: Qualcomm
Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States
Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.
