SoC Debug Engineer, Staff

Job Title

SoC Debug Engineer, Staff

Role Summary

Work on silicon validation and platform-level debug for server, compute, and mobile SoC chipsets. The role partners with architects, designers, verification and software teams to lead bring-up, isolate failures, and drive root-cause analysis in both pre-silicon and post-silicon phases.

Primary focus areas include platform bring-up, debug strategy, real-time troubleshooting of server hardware, and reducing time-to-root-cause for complex system failures.

Experience Level

Senior - typically 6+ years of experience in pre-silicon and post-silicon enabling, bring-up, validation, or platform debug. Demonstrated leadership in debugging complex system-level failures.

Responsibilities

Accountable for leading platform-level debug activities across pre‑Si and post‑Si phases.

• Lead bring-up and analyze failures at the embedded platform level during pre-silicon and post-silicon phases.
• Perform RTL inspection to support pre-silicon root-cause analysis and use JTAG and silicon visibility for post‑silicon issues.
• Create and lead debug strategies and plans to rapidly triage failures and isolate failing components, including PVT and marginality issues.
• Perform real-time debugging and troubleshooting of server hardware: motherboards, processors, memory, storage, power, and networking components.
• Investigate manufacturing defects, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve product reliability.
• Drive SysDebug activities to closure and document strategies to accelerate future debug cycles.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience:

• 6+ years of hands-on experience with pre‑silicon and post‑silicon enabling, bring-up, and platform-level failure analysis.
• Proven experience in complex system debug and leading efforts to isolate failing components of a system.
• RTL inspection skills and familiarity with RTL to support pre‑silicon debug.
• Experience debugging low-level software and hardware interactions.
• Proficiency with debug tools such as JTAG and lab equipment (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators).
• Experience with server-specific scenarios: boot configuration, reset scenarios, and reboot stress testing (cold and warm boot).

Nice-to-have / Preferred:

• Proficiency in programming/scripting languages (C, Assembly, Perl, Python, etc.).
• Understanding of power and performance and test methodologies (TCU, PVT, Fmax, Vmin).
• Familiarity with CPU and SoC architectures for Server/Compute/Mobile chipsets and multi-die secure boot debug.

Education Requirements

Preferred: Master's degree in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. Acceptable alternatives per posted minimums: Bachelor's degree in science/engineering with 4+ years of relevant ASIC design/verification/validation/integration experience; Master's with 3+ years; or PhD with 2+ years. Equivalent practical experience is acceptable where noted.

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.