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Vulkan Jobs in Cambridge, MA (NOW HIRING)

Vulkan information

See Cambridge, MA salary details

$57.4K

$155.1K

$196.2K

How much do vulkan jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for vulkan in Cambridge, MA is $155,137.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,300.00 and $182,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Vulkan?

A Vulkan job typically refers to a position involving the Vulkan graphics and compute API, which is used for high-performance 3D rendering and GPU computation. Professionals in this field often work as graphics programmers, game developers, or software engineers specializing in GPU optimization. They develop or optimize graphics applications, such as video games, simulations, and professional visualization tools, using Vulkan. Knowledge of C++, GPU architectures, and shader programming is usually required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Vulkan position, and why are they important?

To excel in a Vulkan role, you need a strong background in computer graphics programming, C/C++ development, and a deep understanding of 3D rendering pipelines, typically with a degree in computer science or engineering. Experience with the Vulkan graphics API, shader programming (GLSL or SPIR-V), and knowledge of GPU architectures are also important, with certifications in graphics programming considered a plus. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure the efficient development of high-performance graphics applications and smooth collaboration within technical project teams.

What types of projects do professionals working with Vulkan typically work on?

Professionals skilled in Vulkan often contribute to a variety of projects, such as real-time 3D engines, gaming applications, simulation software, and high-performance visualization tools. They collaborate closely with game designers, graphics artists, and other developers to implement cutting-edge visual effects and optimize rendering efficiency. The role may also involve troubleshooting complex graphical issues and keeping up with advances in GPU technology. These projects are generally fast-paced and require a balance of technical expertise and creative problem-solving, making the work both challenging and rewarding with strong opportunities for growth.

Infographic showing various Vulkan job openings in Cambridge, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $155,137 per year, or $74.6 per hour.

GPU HW Research Engineer (San Diego/Boxborough)

Qualcomm

Boxborough, MA • On-site

$161.80 - $242.60/hr

Other

Re-posted 21 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Collaborate with other GPU architects to design new hardware features and enhance existing GPU architectures for accelerating GPGPU, ML, and AI workloads.

  • Develop architectural solutions for diverse platforms, including mobile, WoS, and data center GPUs.

  • Work closely with software teams, hardware design teams, standardization bodies, and internal/external partners to deliver cutting‑edge solutions.


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 > GPU ASICS Engineering

General Summary

Qualcomm’s GPU Research Team is seeking innovative GPU architects to advance state‑of‑the‑art capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and General‑Purpose GPU (GPGPU) computing. This is a unique opportunity to design next‑generation GPU architectures that power everything from mobile devices to Windows on Snapdragon (WoS) compute platforms and large‑scale data center GPUs.

What You’ll Do
  • Collaborate with other GPU architects to design new hardware features and enhance existing GPU architectures for accelerating GPGPU, ML, and AI workloads.
  • Develop architectural solutions for diverse platforms, including mobile, WoS, and data center GPUs.
  • Work closely with software teams, hardware design teams, standardization bodies, and internal/external partners to deliver cutting‑edge solutions.
  • Participate in open‑source GPGPU/ML/AI projects and contribute to industry‑leading initiatives.
  • Influence the evolution of GPU capabilities for advanced use cases such as large language models (LLMs) and large vision models (LVMs).
Required Skills
  • Strong understanding of GPU architectures, programming models, and application domains.
  • Proficiency with APIs such as OpenCL, CUDA, Vulkan, or Direct3D 12.
  • Experience with hardware design flow and basic knowledge of Verilog (or VHDL).
  • Exposure to hardware simulation/emulation tools and waveform analysis.
  • Basic understanding of GPU memory and cache design hierarchy.
  • Solid programming skills in C/C++.
  • Familiarity with Python is a strong plus.
Preferred Skills
  • Hands‑on experience in development, debugging, and optimization of CUDA and OpenCL kernels, as well as GPU compute shaders.
  • Deep understanding of quantization techniques and data types for large language models (LLMs) and large vision models (LVMs).
  • Experience designing GPU hardware features for ML/AI acceleration.
  • Experience with open‑source projects such as llama.cpp, vLLM, or similar frameworks is a big plus.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
  • Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
  • PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
Pay Range

$161,800.00 - $242,600.00

EEO Statement

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. 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.

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Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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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