System Engineer Phd Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Multimedia Systems
General Summary:
We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Systems Engineer to join our Fingerprint Sensor team and drive the development of innovative biometric solutions for next-generation mobile devices. Our mission is to deliver high-performance, high-volume solutions that push the boundaries of mobile security and user experience.
The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in system engineering, with a proven ability to architect and develop advanced fingerprint sensing technologies. This role requires deep involvement in system-level analysis, optimization, and validation to achieve best-in-class performance, reliability, and seamless integration. You will also play a key role in optimizing hardware/software interfaces and drive schemes, developing and validating algorithms, and characterizing performance across edge and corner cases through firmware definition and refinement.
Key Responsibilities

• Architect and define end-to-end system solutions for next-generation fingerprint sensing technologies.
• Define system integration requirements across diverse sensor applications and product platforms.
• Optimize hardware/software interfaces and drive schemes to enhance overall system performance and efficiency.
• Lead algorithm development and validation by integrating sensor physics with advanced data analysis to overcome limitations in existing sensor modules, improving accuracy, robustness, and performance.
• Develop hardware specifications for ASICs, sensors, and module-level components.
• Characterize and optimize system performance under edge and corner conditions through firmware development, testing, and iteration.
• Perform system-level verification and validation to ensure reliability, scalability, and production readiness.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (hardware, software, firmware, and product engineering) to enable successful integration into high-volume consumer products.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 1+ year of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
*Works in the lab, can use hazardous chemicals (e.g., glue, machinery).
Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on industry experience in module and system characterization.
• Master's Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to performance under edge conditions.
• Proven track record in architecting, defining, and implementing multi-domain sensor systems.
• Strong background in systems engineering, preferably in sensors, modules, or biometric technologies.
• Proven ability in defining architecture and integrating systems into commercial products.
• Solid understanding of hardware/software interaction, including firmware development and HW/SW co-optimization.
• Experience in algorithm development, validation, and system-level performance characterization.
• Self-directed, motivated, and capable of driving complex technical programs to completion.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, parameter analyzers, and network analyzers.
• Experience in C/C++/C#, MATLAB, and JMP, with familiarity in I²C, SPI, and MIPI interface protocols.
• Experience with design and validation tools such as Cadence and SPICE.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in fingerprint sensing, TFT sensors, or related biometric sensing technologies.
• Familiarity with ASIC development, sensor physics, or module-level design.
• Knowledge of mixed-signal and/or digital circuit design.

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Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$142,200.00 - $213,200.00
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.