Sensor Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Multimedia Systems
General Summary:
We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Systems and Mixed Signal Design Engineer to join our Fingerprint Sensor team and drive the development of innovative biometric solutions for next-generation mobile devices.
The ideal candidate brings experience in mixed-signal design and system engineering, with the ability to architect and design world-class mixed-signal sensor circuitry while also performing detailed system analysis and optimization. Depending on qualifications, the role may place greater emphasis on mixed-signal design or on systems engineering.
In this role, you will apply advanced CMOS mixed-signal IC design methodologies to architect and develop cutting-edge fingerprint sensor technologies, and drive circuit-level design and verification for products that push the boundaries of performance, reliability, and integration.
In addition, you will analyze use cases and product requirements, and perform functional decomposition to derive system requirements for implementation in hardware and/or software. You will also conduct system analysis and simulation modeling to propose algorithmic and/or system changes that optimize performance and power.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
*Works in the lab, can use hazardous chemicals (e.g., glue, machinery).
Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of Mixed Signal Design and Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• Experience with algorithm development, validation, and system-level performance characterization.
• Familiarity with ASIC specifications, sensor physics, or module-level design.
• Experience in systems engineering, preferably with sensors and integrated modules
• Proven ability to define architecture and integrate systems into commercial products.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to performance in edge cases.
• Experience with CMOS sensor design with TFT/LTPS technologies is a plus
• Strong understanding of hardware/software interaction, including FW development and HW/SW co-optimization.
• Hands-on experience using CADENCE, SPICE, MATLAB, Verilog/VHDL, Python and lab equivalent.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate or lead the definition, design and verification of advanced sensors
• Participate or drive a full-cycle development, including system modeling, sensor pixel design, driver circuit design, and optimization across key performance metrics.
• Develop hardware specifications for ASICs, sensors, and module components. In addition, translates the system-level requirements into sensor architectures, circuit specifications, and optimized sensor designs.
• Execute sensor circuit- and pixel-level simulations using Cadence ADE/Spectre, HSPICE, MATLAB, and other industry-standard tools to validate performance across corners and drive iterative improvements.
• Perform system-level studies such as architecture exploration, fundamental physics analysis, and performance trade-off evaluations.
• Develop algorithms to improve system-level performance.
• Guide and review pixel-level and block-level layout to ensure performance, area efficiency, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Debug circuit, pixel, and system-level issues; refine designs based on insights from simulation tools and sensor characterization.
• Support sensor bring-up through lab measurements, functional validation, and correlation between sensor behavior and simulation models.
• Collaborate with system, firmware, product, and test engineering teams to achieve optimal sensor and system-level performance.
• Prepare clear technical documentation, design descriptions, and test materials for internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Supports design reviews for platform development; leads evaluation of system performance based on constraints and capabilities of design; works with multiple groups outside domain to support design integrity.
• Independently identifies issues or patterns of issues related to systems-level software and hardware design and the implications for work within and across teams; makes overall recommendations for new technologies and to address ambiguous issues, design architectures, generate solutions, and develop models, code, and simulations.

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Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$198,600.00 - $297,800.00
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.