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Software Debugger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Software debugging and object-oriented software design. Performance modeling and correlation. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree in electrical/electronics domain with a master's in computer ...

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How much do software debugger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for software debugger in California is $42.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.98 and $51.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software debugger?

A Software Debugger is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and fixing software defects in applications or systems. They use debugging tools, code reviews, and testing to ensure programs run correctly and efficiently. This role requires strong problem-solving skills, proficiency in programming languages, and a deep understanding of software development processes. Debuggers often collaborate with developers and testers to improve code quality and system stability.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a software debugger?

Software Debuggers spend much of their day analyzing code, identifying bugs or performance bottlenecks, and collaborating with software developers to resolve these issues. They use specialized debugging tools and may review logs, write test cases, or reproduce complex errors reported by users or QA teams. Additionally, they often document their findings, provide recommendations for preventing similar issues, and participate in team meetings to share progress. This role typically involves a blend of independent problem-solving and close coordination with development, QA, and support teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software debugger?

To thrive as a Software Debugger, you need strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in at least one programming language, and a deep understanding of software development and debugging methodologies. Experience with debugging tools such as GDB, WinDbg, or integrated development environments (IDEs), as well as knowledge of version control systems, is highly valuable, and relevant certifications (like those from Microsoft or CompTIA) can be a plus. Attention to detail, patience, excellent communication, and analytical thinking are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities enable Software Debuggers to efficiently identify, analyze, and resolve software issues, ensuring product reliability and optimal team collaboration.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Debugger jobs in California?

The most popular types of Software Debugger jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Software Debugger 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 $89,305 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

SoC Systems & Infrastructure Engineer (Design • Validation • Debug • FPGA • Emulation • Software)

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 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 Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS Engineering
General Summary:
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is a global technology leader driving innovations in wireless communications, AI, computing, and connected systems. Our engineering teams develop industry-leading silicon, software, FPGA prototyping platforms, emulation systems, and validation solutions that enable the next generation of mobile, automotive, AI, and edge computing products.
Role Summary
We are seeking highly motivated engineers to join Qualcomm's SoC Design, Validation, Debug, Infrastructure, FPGA, and Emulation organizations. In this role, you will work on industry-leading SoCs and development platforms spanning design, validation, system debug, silicon characterization, CAD software, FPGA prototyping, and emulation.
You will collaborate closely with architects, RTL designers, verification engineers, software developers, and validation teams to develop innovative solutions that improve product quality, accelerate system bring-up, and enable next-generation computing platforms.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and enhance solutions supporting SoC design, validation, debug, FPGA prototyping, and emulation environments.
  • Design, implement, validate, and debug hardware and software components used in advanced SoC development platforms.
  • Perform pre-silicon and post-silicon bring-up, failure analysis, root-cause investigation, and performance characterization.
  • Develop automation, infrastructure, and tooling using modern programming languages and scripting environments.
  • Support debugging of low-level hardware and software issues across complex SoC platforms.
  • Analyze system performance, power, functionality, reliability, and timing across multiple subsystems.
  • Collaborate with global engineering teams, technology partners, and tool vendors to improve methodologies, workflows, and product quality.
  • Leverage automation and AI technologies to improve engineering productivity and debug efficiency.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • ASIC / SoC Design
    • Hardware or System Debug
    • Validation Engineering
    • FPGA Development
    • Emulation Platforms
    • CAD / EDA / Software Development
  • Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Experience with complex SoC architectures including CPUs, DSPs, GPUs, DDR, NoCs, peripherals, and interconnects.
  • Experience with Linux and embedded software development.
  • Familiarity with modern AI-assisted engineering workflows and automation technologies.

Core Technical Skills
Programming & Software
  • C/C++
  • Python
  • Tcl
  • Perl
  • Linux / Embedded Linux
  • Software Design and Development Practices
  • Automation and Scripting

Hardware & SoC
  • ASIC Design
  • SoC Architecture
  • Hardware Validation
  • Hardware Debug
  • Performance and Power Analysis
  • RTL Design
  • Verilog / SystemVerilog
  • FPGA Design

Tools & Infrastructure
  • JTAG Debug
  • Git
  • JIRA
  • CI/CD Automation Flows
  • Simulation, Emulation, and Prototyping Tools
  • Linux Development Environments
  • Hardware and Software Debug Tools

Specialized Skills Areas: Candidates may specialize in one or more of the following domains:
Content and Validation:
SoC/System Validation Expertise - End-to-end pre-silicon and post-silicon validation, bring-up, system integration, and silicon debug.
  • Hardware-Software Co-Debug - Strong debugging across SoC architecture, embedded software, firmware, drivers, and hardware interfaces.
  • Validation Content & Framework Development - Design scalable test content, automation frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, analysis, and debug infrastructure.
  • Low-Level Programming - Proficiency in C/C++, Python, Assembly, Linux, device drivers, and bare-metal software development.
  • Architecture & Domain Knowledge - Deep understanding of CPU, DDR, NoC/interconnects, memory hierarchy, clock/power management, low-power modes, and performance architecture.
  • Performance, Power & Concurrency Analysis - System-level validation of bandwidth, latency, QoS, throughput, scalability, and power-performance tradeoffs.
  • Pre-Silicon Platforms - Experience with simulation, emulation (RUMI/Veloce/FPGA), RTL understanding, and validation readiness.
  • AI-Driven Validation - Applying AI/ML to improve validation productivity.
  • Lab & Debug Tools - Hands-on experience with JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, kernel debuggers, and silicon debug methodologies.
  • Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration - Work effectively across architecture, design, firmware, software, and validation teams to drive silicon quality.

Silicon Validation & Debug
  • Pre-silicon and post-silicon bring-up
  • Failure analysis and root-cause debugging
  • Platform-level debug
  • Lab equipment usage
  • JTAG and trace-based debugging
  • PVT and marginality analysis
  • AI-assisted debug automation

Power & Performance Validation
  • Power characterization
  • Thermal analysis
  • Vmin/Fmax characterization
  • CPU/GPU/DDR/NoC analysis
  • Performance optimization
  • Low-power design methodologies

DFT & Manufacturing Validation
  • MBIST
  • ATPG
  • Structural testing
  • Yield analysis
  • Scan-based debug
  • Silicon characterization

FPGA Firmware & Embedded Systems
  • Xilinx and Intel FPGA platforms
  • FPGA firmware development
  • Embedded Linux
  • PCIe, AXI, Ethernet, and I2C protocols
  • High-speed digital design
  • Clock domain crossing and timing closure

Emulation & Platform Methodology
  • FPGA prototyping
  • Palladium and Veloce platforms
  • Emulation build generation
  • Platform bring-up
  • System-level debug methodologies
  • Timing closure and deployment flows

CAD & EDA Software Development
  • CAD tool development
  • Algorithms and data structures
  • Emulation infrastructure
  • Synthesis optimization
  • Partitioning
  • Clock optimization
  • Compute and storage optimization

Why Join Us
  • Work on industry-leading mobile, AI, automotive, and computing SoCs.
  • Collaborate with world-class engineers across hardware, software, FPGA, emulation, validation, and debug domains.
  • Solve challenging technical problems that span the entire silicon development lifecycle.
  • Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies, advanced development platforms, and large-scale engineering infrastructure.
  • Help shape the future of connected computing, AI, and next-generation semiconductor products.

Build the future of AI and mobile computing. From SoC design and validation to silicon debug, FPGA prototyping, emulation, and software infrastructure, Qualcomm offers opportunities to work across the full spectrum of semiconductor development.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field.
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:
$115,600.00 - $173,400.00
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