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Qualcomm Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what ...

As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/ or specialized utility programs that launch cutting‑edge ...

#Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$99K - $149K/yr

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship. As a leading ...

New

#Display Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$94K - $141K/yr

Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: ** This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship. ** As a ...

As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting‑edge ...

#Senior Sensors Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: ** This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship. ** As a ...

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: ***This position is not eligible for Qualcomm immigration sponsorship.*** As a ...

Sr. Staff Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what is ...

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Showing results 1-20

Qualcomm Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do qualcomm software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for qualcomm software engineer in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Qualcomm software engineer do?

A Qualcomm Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software solutions for Qualcomm's hardware products, such as mobile processors, chipsets, and wireless communication technologies. Their work often involves embedded systems, firmware development, driver programming, and optimizing software for performance and efficiency on Qualcomm platforms. They collaborate closely with hardware engineers, QA teams, and product managers to deliver cutting-edge technology for smartphones, IoT devices, automotive systems, and more. The role requires strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of computer architecture and wireless communication protocols.

What opportunities are available for career growth as a Qualcomm software engineer?

As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, there are multiple avenues for career advancement, including technical leadership, management, and specialization in emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, or IoT. Employees often have access to mentorship programs, internal training, and the chance to work on cross-functional projects, which can help broaden their skill sets. Regular performance reviews and a culture that encourages innovation further support career progression. Advancement typically depends on both technical expertise and the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Qualcomm software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (such as C/C++), knowledge of embedded systems, and a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with Qualcomm’s proprietary platforms, embedded development tools, and debugging systems is highly beneficial, along with experience in real-time operating systems. Excellent problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication help you excel in cross-functional, fast-paced environments. These technical and interpersonal skills are crucial for delivering innovative, reliable solutions that meet Qualcomm’s high standards for wireless and semiconductor products.

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

AspectQualcomm Software EngineerQualcomm Firmware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or EE, programming skillsBachelor's/Master's in EE, embedded systems knowledge
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, R&D labsEmbedded systems, hardware integration teams
Industry UsageMobile, IoT, networking productsDevice firmware, hardware-software interface
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Qualcomm Software Engineers focus on developing software applications and systems, while Qualcomm Firmware Engineers work on embedded firmware that interfaces directly with hardware. Both roles require strong technical skills and are integral to Qualcomm's product development, but they differ mainly in their focus on software versus embedded firmware development.

What are popular job titles related to Qualcomm Software Engineer jobs in California?

For Qualcomm Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Qualcomm Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Qualcomm Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Qualcomm Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Qualcomm Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Qualcomm Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer - Linux

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary:
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting-edge, world class products that meet and exceed customer needs. Qualcomm Software Engineers collaborate with systems, hardware, architecture, test engineers, and other teams to design system-level software solutions and obtain information on performance requirements and interfaces.
Drive Linux platform enablement for Qualcomm's next-generation SoCs. Join the Linux Platform team to architect, build, and optimize Linux distribution support and infrastructure that empowers internal developers, validation, and product teams.
This role focuses on upstream-oriented Linux platform enablement, including image generation, packaging, integration, and CI/CD automation across major Linux distributions (Debian/Ubuntu, RHEL/Fedora). The position bridges silicon and firmware enablement with modern open-source distribution standards, supporting compute, server, embedded, and IoT platforms.
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Strong foundation in computer science and system-level software engineering.
  • Advanced Linux experience with the ability to debug complex issues spanning kernel, boot, and userspace.
  • Proficiency in Bash and Python for automation and tooling; working knowledge of C/C++.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously in ambiguous, fast-evolving technical environments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across hardware, firmware, and software teams.
  • Proven problem-solving abilities with systems-level thinking.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Deep, hands-on experience with one or more major Linux distributions (RHEL/Fedora, Ubuntu/Debian), including image creation, packaging, update mechanisms, and integration workflows.
  • Strong experience with Git and GitHub-based development workflows, including CI/CD system design and maintenance (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
  • Practical knowledge of Linux packaging ecosystems (RPM and/or Debian), including policy, dependency management, and reproducibility.
  • Solid understanding of Linux platform enablement and boot flows (UEFI, edk2, ACPI, GRUB, kconfig).
  • Experience contributing to upstream Linux kernel or userspace projects.
  • Familiarity with Linux desktop environments and developer-facing workflows.
  • Experience with virtualization and container technologies (QEMU, KVM, Docker; Kubernetes a plus).

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
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:
$134,800.00 - $202,200.00
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