Firmware Engineer – SerDes PHY

Job Title

Firmware Engineer – SerDes PHY

Role Summary

Lead firmware architecture, development, integration, and silicon bring-up for high-performance SerDes PHY IP. Work on embedded firmware, C SDKs, lab tools, and CI to enable pre-silicon validation through post-silicon production deployment.

Collaborate with hardware, systems, verification, and software teams to define bring-up requirements, debug silicon/hardware issues, and deliver production-quality firmware for data-center and AI/ML applications.

Experience Level

Senior — role expects experienced engineers (typically 7+ years) with technical or project leadership in embedded firmware for IP or SoCs.

Responsibilities

Deliver and support firmware across the full product lifecycle, from pre-silicon to customer delivery.

• Lead firmware architecture and implementation for SerDes PHY controllers and datapaths.
• Own firmware lifecycle: design, integration, validation, optimization, and release.
• Implement low-level embedded C/C++ firmware for calibration, training algorithms, and link management.
• Develop and maintain C/Python SDKs, lab automation scripts, and GUIs for bring-up, diagnostics, and calibration.
• Define and run regression, CI, and test cases to ensure release quality and reliability.
• Drive cross-functional coordination with ASIC/digital design, verification, systems, and customer teams during bring-up and debug.
• Debug complex lab and field issues using scopes, JTAG, protocol analyzers, and custom tooling; drive issues to root cause.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices and documentation.

Requirements

Key technical skills and practical experience required for success in this role.

• 7+ years experience in embedded firmware development for hardware IP or SoCs (preferred).
• Strong proficiency in C and C++; practical experience scripting in Python for SDKs and lab automation.
• Hands-on experience with embedded architectures (RISC-V, ARM, or similar) and low-level bare-metal or RTOS programming.
• Technical or project leadership experience on embedded software projects from spec to production.
• Deep understanding of microcontroller architecture, memory-mapped registers, ISRs, and boot flows.
• Proven lab debug skills working with silicon, scopes, JTAG debuggers, I2C/SPI tools, and high-speed signal bring-up.
• Familiarity with EDA tool flows, digital verification concepts, and HDLs (Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• Experience with git and modern software development practices; familiarity with CI/regression infrastructure.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Posting lists degree-plus-experience options: Bachelor's + 6+ years, Master’s + 5+ years, or PhD + 4+ years. Also references BS/MS in CS, EE, or CE in preferred qualifications.

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.