About the Role
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm Software Engineer, you will design, develop, create, modify, and validate embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs that launch cutting-edge, world class products that meet and exceed customer needs. Qualcomm Software Engineers collaborate with systems, hardware, architecture, test engineers, and other teams to design system-level software solutions and obtain information on performance requirements and interfaces.
Responsibilities
- Embedded firmware running on RISC-V-based controllers that manage Alphawave’s advanced SerDes datapaths
- Python and C SDKs provided to customers for SerDes bring-up, calibration, tuning, and diagnostics
- Python-based lab tools and GUIs for interactive debug, register access, and validation
- Build, regression, and CI infrastructure to ensure code quality and full coverage
- Technical or project lead for SerDes firmware on a major IP program, working with a team (2–8 engineers) through planning, development, validation, and customer delivery
- Architecting and implementing embedded C/C++ firmware for hardware calibration, training algorithms, DSP adaptations, and link state management
- Debugging complex lab and field issues in conjunction with hardware, applications, and validation teams
- Driving and collaborating across functions to define FW milestones, plan sprints, close tickets, and ensure delivery of reliable and high-quality features
- Translating protocol specifications (e.g. PCIe, Ethernet, CXL) or custom system-level requirements into internal firmware architecture and documentation
- Supporting development and silicon bring-up across Alphawave Semi teams and other sites
- Mentoring a junior engineer through a hard-to-reproduce PHY calibration bug seen in customer silicon
- Developing architecture and state machines to handle multi-lane synchronization or adaptive equalization across dynamic conditions
- Porting a high-level MATLAB or Python SerDes calibration algorithm to optimized fixed-point firmware
- Creating a SerDes diagnostics framework accessible via both SDK and GUI
- Using simulation environments and FPGA emulation to validate FW behavior before tapeout
- Working with IP hardware architects to influence future revisions based on field debug learnings
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 4+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years of experience in embedded C/C++ firmware development for hardware IP or SoCs
- Technical or team leadership experience in embedded software projects from spec to production
- Deep understanding of microcontroller architecture (RISC-V a plus), memory-mapped registers, ISRs, and boot flows
- Strong lab debug skills, working directly on silicon with scopes, analyzers, and custom tools
- Familiarity with git and modern software development methodologies
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across functions and geographies
- Knowledge of SerDes, high-speed IO standards (PCIe, Ethernet, UCIe, CXL, etc)
- Experience with calibration algorithms, signal conditioning, and adaptive feedback control in hardware
- Experience in silicon bring-up and post-silicon debug
- Experience in pre-silicon firmware development (DV, emulation, etc)
- Knowledge of RTOS or bare-metal FW architectures
- Scripting in Python, Bash, etc. for lab automation and testing
- Familiarity with digital design concepts (Verilog/SystemVerilog), simulation, and DV flows
- Exposure to the OSI model, especially physical and data link layers
- Understanding of signal processing concepts such as eye diagrams, jitter, BER, SNR, CTLE/DFE/FFE, etc.
Skills
- C
- C++
- Java
- Python
- Embedded firmware
- RISC-V
- SerDes
- PCIe
- Ethernet
- CXL
- SDKs
- Lab tools
- GUI
- Debug
- CI infrastructure
- Microcontroller architecture
- Memory-mapped registers
- ISRs
- Boot flows
- Lab debug
- Scopes
- Analyzers
- Git
- Calibration algorithms
- Signal conditioning
- Adaptive feedback control
- Silicon bring-up
- Post-silicon debug
- Pre-silicon firmware development
- RTOS
- Bare-metal FW architectures
- Bash
- Digital design
- Verilog
- SystemVerilog
- Simulation
- DV flows
- OSI model
- Signal processing
Location
- Canada
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Principal
- 8+ years
- 7+ years
- 6+ years
- 4+ years
- 7+ years
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
- Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
- PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
About the Company
- Qualcomm Canada ULC is a leading technology innovator.
- The Embedded Software / Firmware Team at Qualcomm develops critical embedded software that powers high-performance multi-standard Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) PHY IP used in next-generation data center, AI/ML, automotive, and compute applications.
- Our SerDes IPs support standards such as PCIe, Ethernet, CXL, and are integrated into SoCs and ASICs built by leading semiconductor companies around the world.
- The firmware team owns the full embedded software stack that controls the SerDes hardware, including low-level embedded firmware, customer-facing C SDKs, demo & automation scripts, and interactive tools.
- As a key enabler of silicon bring-up, validation, and production deployment, we work closely with hardware, systems, DV, validation, and application teams across the product lifecycle—from early development to high-volume manufacturing.
Equal Opportunity
- 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.
