Firmware Engineer Jobs at Qualcomm with Visa Sponsorship
Firmware Engineer jobs at Qualcomm sit at the intersection of embedded systems and semiconductor innovation, covering modem firmware, RTOS development, and low-level hardware bring-up. Qualcomm has a well-established sponsorship process for this function, supporting candidates across multiple visa categories from OPT through permanent residency.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a skilled UEFI Firmware Engineer to join our platform software team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain firmware components for modern computing platforms. You will work on low-level boot code, UEFI modules, and system initialization for ARM architectures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and maintain UEFI firmware modules and related boot components.
- Implement and debug platform initialization code for ARM or RISC-V systems.
- Collaborate with hardware teams to bring up new boards and SoCs.
- Optimize boot performance and ensure compliance with UEFI specifications.
- Work with open-source and proprietary boot loaders (e.g., EDK2, Coreboot, U-boot).
- Perform code reviews, unit testing, and validation on target hardware.
- Troubleshoot firmware issues across pre-silicon and post-silicon environments.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- ~8 years of experience in firmware development, UEFI, or boot loaders.
- Strong proficiency in C and familiarity with assembly for ARM or RISC-V.
- Hands-on experience with UEFI frameworks (e.g., EDK2) and platform bring-up.
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces (PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART) and memory initialization.
- Understanding of secure boot concepts and firmware security best practices.
- Experience with debugging tools (JTAG, GDB) and hardware validation.
- Familiarity with Embedded Systems.
- Familiarity with UEFI, ACPI, SMBIOS, and other platform configuration standards.
- Experience with Git, Gerrit, and CI/CD for firmware projects.
- Knowledge of virtualization technologies and hypervisors.
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. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
TO ALL STAFFING AND RECRUITING AGENCIES:
Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO EMPLOYER:
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.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
PAY RANGE AND OTHER COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
$134,800.00 - $202,200.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link. If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a skilled UEFI Firmware Engineer to join our platform software team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain firmware components for modern computing platforms. You will work on low-level boot code, UEFI modules, and system initialization for ARM architectures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and maintain UEFI firmware modules and related boot components.
- Implement and debug platform initialization code for ARM or RISC-V systems.
- Collaborate with hardware teams to bring up new boards and SoCs.
- Optimize boot performance and ensure compliance with UEFI specifications.
- Work with open-source and proprietary boot loaders (e.g., EDK2, Coreboot, U-boot).
- Perform code reviews, unit testing, and validation on target hardware.
- Troubleshoot firmware issues across pre-silicon and post-silicon environments.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- ~8 years of experience in firmware development, UEFI, or boot loaders.
- Strong proficiency in C and familiarity with assembly for ARM or RISC-V.
- Hands-on experience with UEFI frameworks (e.g., EDK2) and platform bring-up.
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces (PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART) and memory initialization.
- Understanding of secure boot concepts and firmware security best practices.
- Experience with debugging tools (JTAG, GDB) and hardware validation.
- Familiarity with Embedded Systems.
- Familiarity with UEFI, ACPI, SMBIOS, and other platform configuration standards.
- Experience with Git, Gerrit, and CI/CD for firmware projects.
- Knowledge of virtualization technologies and hypervisors.
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. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
TO ALL STAFFING AND RECRUITING AGENCIES:
Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO EMPLOYER:
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.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
PAY RANGE AND OTHER COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
$134,800.00 - $202,200.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link. If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Firmware Engineer Jobs at Qualcomm
Align Your Degree to Qualcomm's Requirements
Qualcomm's Firmware Engineer postings consistently require a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science. If your degree is in a related field, document coursework in embedded systems, OS internals, or digital design to strengthen your specialty occupation case.
Target Roles Matching Your Embedded Specialization
Qualcomm's firmware openings span modem software, camera firmware, and audio DSP. Applying to roles that match your specific stack, whether RTOS, bare-metal C, or hardware abstraction layers, improves both interview outcomes and the internal routing of your sponsorship paperwork.
Start Your OPT Extension Timeline Early
If you're on F-1 OPT in a STEM-eligible field, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify for a 24-month STEM extension. Confirm Qualcomm's E-Verify status during offer negotiation, not after signing, so your extension application can be filed within the required 90-day window.
Prepare for H-1B Cap Timing Before Accepting an Offer
H-1B cap registrations open each March for an October 1 start date. If you receive a Qualcomm offer outside that window, clarify whether you'll bridge on OPT or explore H-1B1 visa eligibility if you hold Australian or Chilean citizenship, which bypasses the annual lottery.
Use Migrate Mate to Surface Firmware Openings at Qualcomm
Firmware Engineer roles at Qualcomm are scattered across business units and refresh frequently. Use Migrate Mate to filter open positions by visa sponsorship type so you're applying to roles actively seeking sponsored candidates, not listings that have already been filled internally.
Request PERM Timeline Clarity Before Your Green Card Process Starts
EB-2 and EB-3 PERM filings require DOL-supervised recruitment before Qualcomm can sponsor your permanent residency. Ask your recruiter which business unit handles immigration coordination and whether the role is flagged for a sponsored Green Card track, as this varies by team and headcount approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Qualcomm sponsor H-1B visas for Firmware Engineers?
Yes, Qualcomm sponsors H-1B visas for Firmware Engineers and has an active immigration program supporting this function. Firmware roles typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science. Sponsorship is handled through Qualcomm's internal immigration team in coordination with outside counsel, and the process begins after an offer is extended.
Which visa types does Qualcomm commonly use for Firmware Engineer roles?
Qualcomm sponsors Firmware Engineers on H-1B, H-1B1 visa, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, TN visa, and J-1 visas, as well as EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa categories for permanent residency. H-1B is the most common path for full-time hires. TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering roles. OPT and CPT are typical entry points for candidates still completing or recently finishing a U.S. degree program.
How do I apply for Firmware Engineer jobs at Qualcomm?
Applications go through Qualcomm's careers portal, where you can filter by role type and location. You can also browse Firmware Engineer openings at Qualcomm that are open to visa sponsorship through Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for sponsored positions. Tailor your resume to highlight embedded systems experience, the specific firmware domains you've worked in, and any low-level languages like C or assembly that appear in the job description.
What qualifications does Qualcomm expect for Firmware Engineer candidates?
Most Firmware Engineer roles at Qualcomm require a bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science. Practical experience with RTOS environments, device drivers, or hardware bring-up carries significant weight in interviews. For senior roles, familiarity with Qualcomm's chipset ecosystem, ARM architecture, or modem software stacks is frequently referenced in job descriptions. Candidates on OPT should confirm their degree field is STEM-designated for extension eligibility.
How do I plan my timeline if Qualcomm sponsors my H-1B as a Firmware Engineer?
H-1B registration opens in March, with a lottery typically run in late March and an October 1 start date. If you're already on F-1 OPT, you can work continuously through the cap-gap period if your OPT expires before October 1. USCIS processes standard H-1B petitions within three to six months. Premium processing, which Qualcomm may elect to use, reduces that to roughly 15 business days and is common for time-sensitive starts.