Firmware Engineer, Principal at Qualcomm | Canada | Rezi

Firmware Engineer, Principal at Qualcomm

Firmware Engineer, Principal

Qualcomm · Canada

1 months ago

Firmware Engineer, Principal

Qualcomm · Canada

2 months ago
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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.