Principal Engineer - Cellular Technologies

Job Title

Principal Engineer - Cellular Technologies

Role Summary

Design and implement 5G/6G base-station L1 modem PHY layer software for Qualcomm CPU and DSP processors, targeting ORAN-compliant ODU/ORU SoC products and SCF FAPI. Lead software architecture and interfaces across modem subsystems, collaborate with hardware and cross-functional teams, and drive verification and integration to commercial products.

Experience Level

Senior. Typical experience expectations per qualifications: Bachelor's degree +8 years, Master's degree +7 years, or PhD +6 years of software engineering or related work experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include design, implementation, verification, and integration of modem and PHY software at the subsystem and product level.

• Design, standardize, implement, verify, and validate wireless WAN (cellular) air interface and modem software.
• Architect and optimize software for high performance (capacity, coverage, throughput, latency, power) and cost targets.
• Implement software for constrained embedded environments (CPU/DSP) and optimize for performance and resource usage.
• Own unit-level verification for subsystems and oversee software integration into platforms and products.
• Collaborate with hardware, protocol, and systems teams to ensure end-to-end system integration and ORAN compliance.
• Produce and review detailed technical documentation and feature specifications; mentor and review work of other engineers.
• Make technical decisions with significant program or product impact and communicate complex technical information to stakeholders.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and practical experience (degree and years summarized under Education Requirements).

• Strong C and C++ proficiency; Python experience for tooling and automation.
• Experience with real-time operating systems, embedded systems, and multi-threaded programming.
• Experience developing for DSPs (Qualcomm QDSP6 or similar) and familiarity with scalar/vector DSP development.
• Familiarity with 5G NR and LTE protocols and close collaboration with hardware teams.
• Embedded firmware design for constrained MIPS and memory environments; design-for-test and debug practices.
• Verification mindset and experience with test-driven development and subsystem-level validation.
• Technical leadership experience: guiding cross-functional efforts, influencing design decisions, and mentoring engineers.
• Nice-to-have: prior semiconductor or wireless industry experience and computer architecture or embedded-systems background.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (with ~8+ years of software engineering experience); OR Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (with ~7+ years); OR PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (with ~6+ years). Fields referenced: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and related technical disciplines. No specific certifications were listed.

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.