Linux & Firmware Developer – Custom CPU Post-Silicon Team

Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

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.

• 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.

• 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 tool chains.
  • 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, Git Hub/Git Lab, CI/CD for Linux build automation, Docker.
  • Strong technical documentation skills.

• 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 (System
  
  C).
• 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).

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.

• 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.

$ - $

The above pay scale reflects…