Embedded NPU Software Engineer, Senior

Job Title

Embedded NPU Software Engineer, Senior

Role Summary

Develop and validate software and firmware for embedded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and related DSP subsystems. Contribute to microarchitecture analysis, performance tuning, verification support, and integration to meet power, performance, and functional requirements.

Work within the DSP Architecture and Design team supporting mobile, machine learning, automotive, and IoT products; collaborate cross-functionally with architects, verification, and system teams.

Experience Level

Senior — the posting indicates experience-based qualifications starting at 2+ years in relevant engineering roles (high-performance microprocessor, embedded systems, or similar).

Responsibilities

Primary duties include:

• Develop and deliver small well-defined software/firmware blocks and contribute to larger features under limited supervision.
• Analyze microarchitecture and performance trade-offs for NPU/DSP components to meet power, timing, and functionality targets.
• Create, run, and maintain verification tests; support debug and design verification activities.
• Identify and resolve architecture and design issues across systems and subsystems; participate in design reviews.
• Document design changes, track issues and feature status, and communicate progress to peers and leads.
• Research relevant industry trends and propose technical improvements.

Requirements

Must-have:

• 2+ years experience with high-performance microprocessor or DSP design and analysis.
• Programming experience in C, C++, or Python.
• Experience with design verification methods and test development.
• Clear written and verbal technical communication skills.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with embedded systems, computer architecture, or custom instruction set design.
• Familiarity with ARM assembly, low-level firmware, or algorithms for ML/DSP.
• Experience working in large, matrixed organizations.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field plus 2+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree in those fields plus 1+ year of relevant experience; OR PhD in a related field. Master's or PhD preferred. The posting presents degree-based pathways in lieu of a single strict requirement.

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.