Linux & Firmware Developer – Qualcomm Custom CPU Post-Silicon Team

Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

General Summary:

Qualcomm’s Custom CPU Post-Silicon team is seeking an experienced Linux and Firmware Developer to help shape the future of high-performance computing. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain bare-metal firmware and Linux-based software stacks for our next-generation custom CPU platforms.

What You’ll Work On

• Firmware & Kernel Development: Design, implement, optimize and maintain Linux kernel modules, device drivers, bootloaders, and bare-metal firmware for custom CPU-based hardware and emulation platforms.
• Board Support Packages (BSP): Develop and maintain BSPs for new and existing hardware platforms, including bootloaders, kernel configuration and device tree
• Hardware Bring-Up: Collaborate with hardware engineers to enable software to stack on silicon and emulation platforms, debug hardware-software interactions, and ensure seamless integration.
• System Optimization: Analyze and resolve issues related to system performance, memory usage, power consumption, and reliability.
• Debug & Troubleshoot: Diagnose complex technical issues across Linux OS, drivers, and high-level operating systems (Ubuntu, Android, QNX and Windows.
• Open-Source Strategy: Provide architectural guidance and establish processes for open-source software delivery, including CI/CD pipelines and testing frameworks.
• Continuous Innovation: Stay current with Linux development trends and emerging open-source technologies.
• Documentation: Create clear technical documentation for designs, code, and test procedures.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, software, and product teams to define requirements and deliver high-quality integrated solutions.

What You Bring

• Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 8+ years in bare-metal and Linux development.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ for systems.
  • Experience with Python, shell scripting, CMake, and toolchains.
  • Solid understanding of ARM SoC/CPU architecture.
  • Deep knowledge of Linux internals (drivers, kernel modules, device tree, scheduler, DVFS, power management).
  • Experience with Linux distributions and build systems (Yocto, Android, Ubuntu).
  • Hands-on experience with debugging tools (GDB, JTAG, oscilloscopes).
  • Ability to interpret hardware schematics and datasheets.
  • Knowledge of hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Ethernet, CAN, GPIO).
  • Experience with Git, GitHub/GitLab, CI/CD for Linux build automation , Docker.
  • Strong technical documentation skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Linux kernel upstream process.
• Exposure to desktop (ACPI CPPC) and mobile (SCMI) processor power and performance communication interfaces
• Chip/SoC bring-up on silicon, hard (Palladium) and soft (QEMU/KVM) emulation, and simulation platforms (SystemC)
• ARMv8/ARMv9 architecture and ARM assembly language expertise.
• Exposure RISC-V architecture.
• Familiarity with open-source bootloaders and firmware (UEFI EDK2, coreboot, U-Boot, LK, TF-A, Zephyr RTOS).

Why Join Qualcomm?

You’ll work on cutting-edge CPU platforms, collaborate with world-class engineers, and contribute to innovations that power modern computing. If you thrive on solving complex technical challenges and shaping next-generation systems, we want you on our team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.