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Qualcomm Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wireless R&D - Qualcomm Research (QR) division drives cutting edge research in enabling the next generation (6G) of wireless. It involves development of research-grade prototypes and early-stage ...

Embedded Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

Wireless R&D - Qualcomm Research (QR) division drives cutting edge research in enabling the next generation (6G) of wireless. It involves development of research-grade prototypes and early-stage ...

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Multimedia Systems General Summary: Qualcomm's Multimedia R&D Group is seeking candidates to join its world-class Speech ...

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Multimedia Systems General Summary: Qualcomm's Multimedia R&D Group is seeking candidates to join its world-class Speech ...

Machine Learning Researcher

San Diego, CA · On-site

$159K - $238K/yr

Qualcomm Engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the world of mobile, edge, auto, and IOT products through machine learning research. Minimum Qualifications: • Master's degree ...

Qualcomm Engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the world of mobile, edge, auto, and IOT products through machine learning research. Minimum Qualifications: • Master's degree ...

Machine Learning R&D

San Diego, CA · On-site

$140K - $211K/yr

Company: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Machine Learning Engineering General Summary: About the Team: Qualcomm's Applied ML R&D for HW Design team ...

Company: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Machine Learning Engineering General Summary: About the Team: Qualcomm's Applied ML R&D for HW Design team ...

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Qualcomm Research information

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How much do qualcomm research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for qualcomm research in the United States is $34.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $43.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Qualcomm Research engineer?

To thrive as a Qualcomm Research Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field, often supported by a graduate degree and a solid grasp of algorithms and wireless communication systems. Familiarity with simulation tools (like MATLAB or Python), hardware description languages, and relevant patents or technical publications is highly valued. Creativity, analytical thinking, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for driving innovation and collaborating on complex projects. These competencies enable engineers to contribute cutting-edge solutions and maintain Qualcomm's leadership in technology development.

What jobs are there in Qualcomm Research?

Qualcomm Research offers a variety of roles including research scientists, hardware and software engineers, data scientists, and project managers. These positions typically require expertise in wireless communication, semiconductor technology, and programming languages such as C++, Python, or MATLAB, often involving collaboration in a multidisciplinary environment.

What is Qualcomm Research?

Qualcomm Research is the research and development division of Qualcomm Incorporated, a leading technology company. The team focuses on pioneering new technologies in wireless communication, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related fields. Their work helps shape the future of mobile devices, 5G networks, and the Internet of Things by developing innovative solutions and standards. Researchers at Qualcomm Research collaborate with academia, industry partners, and standards bodies to drive technological advancements and bring new products to market.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Qualcomm Research, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Qualcomm Research often encounter challenges such as keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies, balancing long-term innovation with short-term project goals, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. Addressing these challenges involves continuous learning, active participation in knowledge-sharing sessions, and effective communication with cross-functional partners. The collaborative and fast-paced environment at Qualcomm provides ample opportunities for growth, but also requires adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

What is the difference between Qualcomm Research vs Qualcomm Software Engineer?

AspectQualcomm ResearchQualcomm Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; research experience preferredBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields; coding skills essential
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, innovation centers, collaborative research projectsDevelopment teams, product-focused environment, software development lifecycle
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in R&D divisions of Qualcomm, focusing on new technologiesAcross Qualcomm's product divisions, focusing on software development and implementation

Qualcomm Research roles focus on innovative research and development in wireless and mobile technologies, often involving experimental projects. Qualcomm Software Engineers work on developing, testing, and maintaining software products for Qualcomm's devices and platforms. While both roles require technical expertise, Research positions emphasize experimentation and new technology exploration, whereas Software Engineering roles focus on practical software development and deployment.

More about Qualcomm Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Qualcomm Research jobs? Cities with the most Qualcomm Research job openings:
What states have the most Qualcomm Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Qualcomm Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Qualcomm Research job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,378 per year, or $34.8 per hour.

Wireless Firmware Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 243 rated software companies


Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Cellular Technologies Software
General Summary:
Wireless R&D - Qualcomm Research (QR) division drives cutting edge research in enabling the next generation (6G) of wireless. It involves development of research-grade prototypes and early-stage platforms to enable advances in RF, baseband, communication protocols and algorithms; User Experience (UX) technologies that enable transformative experiences across XR, AI-powered context-aware communications, agentic AI, and robotics; multi-modal sensing using RF, vision and maps; system architectures to both meet and drive industry standards. These prototypes/platforms are end-to-end systems that enable the characterization and demonstration of advanced technologies, improved application-performance and user experience, usage of Qualcomm's compute platforms, leverage of open-source libraries wherever applicable, and pre-commercial inter-operability trials and showcases with industry-partners. It requires advanced SW development across a multitude of domains, layers, and platforms.
This requisition seeks SW engineers to develop and integrate embedded SW for advanced features, algorithms and protocols on new compute, baseband / RF platforms. We seek highly innovative and motivated engineers who can get things done. You will be working in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging work environment. Successful applicants will be creative, enthusiastic innovators who are equally comfortable with researching new technologies and implementing firmware/software towards cutting edge research as well as products.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Principal duties and responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, integrate, and maintain embedded software across the full development lifecycle. The work output typically targets technology characterization, operator trials, demos, and industry showcases.
  • Optimize performance and timing constraints in real-time embedded systems
  • Create and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including design descriptions, architecture specifications, usage and release notes.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including but not limited to baseband and RF System engineers, Hardware engineers, test/integration engineers
  • Stay current with emerging technologies and contribute to the evolution of wireless system architectures

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  • Proficiency in C/C++ programming
  • Understanding of multi-threading, OS fundamentals
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to communicate technical ideas and work status (estimates, risks, dependencies) clearly, both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work effectively across teams in a fast-paced, collaborative and diverse software engineering environment

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree or 2 years of work experience in fields related to Embedded Software Engineering
  • Knowledge of wireless communication theory and systems such as 5G NR, 802.11
  • Experience in implementing and optimizing signal processing algorithms on general purpose and heterogeneous processors including GPUs and DSPs
  • Experience in complex software debugging and system performance optimization
  • Experience in developing device drivers and bringing up new HW platform
  • Aptitude to seek and adopt productivity enhancement processes/tools (AI-based & other) on top of a strong foundation of technical and programming skills.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$103,600.00 - $155,400.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

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About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985