Principal Engineer Jobs at Qualcomm with Visa Sponsorship
Principal Engineer jobs at Qualcomm sit at the intersection of deep hardware and software expertise, covering areas like modem architecture, multimedia processing, and media codec development. Qualcomm has a consistent track record of sponsoring international engineers across a broad range of visa categories, making it a realistic target for skilled candidates who need work authorization.
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Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS Engineering
General Summary:
We are seeking a senior-level Low Power Chip Architect / System Engineer with deep expertise in mixed-signal IC and system design and a proven record of chip-level technical leadership. This is a high-impact role responsible for defining the architecture, driving transistor-level design, and enabling system-level integration of ultra-low-power integrated circuits (ICs) for Robotics and Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications.
The successful candidate will bridge high-performance Analog Front Ends (AFEs) with digital logic and firmware, leading programs from initial architecture and specification through simulation, verification, tape-out, and early silicon bring-up. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, sound architectural judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments.
Position requires to be onsite in San Diego, 5 days a week.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 8+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
- Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 7+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
- PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Responsibilities:
Architecture & Technical Leadership
- Define and support end-to-end system architecture, including partitioning across analog, digital, firmware, and system domains
- Drive architectural trade-offs across power, performance, noise, latency, and silicon area
- Partner with chip leads and system leads from concept definition through silicon bring-up and validation
Mixed-Signal Design & Integration
- Lead feasibility studies and transistor-level design of mixed-signal building blocks including ADCs, DACs, PLLs/DLLs, LDOs, and SerDes
- Architect and integrate ultra-low-power AFEs optimized for battery-operated IIoT and Robotics sensor ASICs
- Drive full-chip execution in collaboration with internal teams and third-party IP vendors and design houses
Modeling, Verification & Silicon Execution
- Develop behavioral and system-level models using MATLAB/Simulink (or equivalent tools) to evaluate noise, linearity, and SNR
- Perform comprehensive pre-silicon verification across PVT corners using industry-standard simulators
- Support post-silicon bring-up, characterization, and reliability qualification, including HTOL and burn-in
- Collaborate with packaging, test, and system teams to ensure successful productization
System & Application Enablement
- Support multi-modal sensor data acquisition, sensor fusion, and edge AI inference workflows
- Contribute to hardware–software integration for efficient system-level deployment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 8+ years of post-degree industrial IC/system design experience OR
- M.S. in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 10–12+ years of industrial IC/system design experience
- Strong expertise in low-power analog and mixed-signal (AMS) IC design
- Hands-on experience with Cadence Virtuoso, AMS sims, verilog and related analog design tools
- Proficiency with Spectre, HSPICE, and board-level simulation methodologies
- Solid understanding of PDKs, LVS, DRC, and PEX flows
- Proven experience with ESD and reliability standards (HBM, CDM, TLP)
- Advanced academic background in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field
- Extensive industry experience in mixed-signal IC and system-level design
- Demonstrated experience as a Chip Lead, System Architect, or Technical Lead
- Proven ability to drive end-to-end silicon programs from concept to production
- Strong capability to work independently and provide technical direction with minimal supervision
- Experience with digital design flows, including synthesis and timing analysis
- Familiarity with firmware development and software integration
- Working knowledge of embedded interfaces such as I2C, I3C, SPI, and MIPI
- Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages
- Experience with deep submicron CMOS technologies and low-power fabrication processes
- Exposure to IC packaging, board-level validation, and system bring-up
- Background in sensor systems, sensor fusion, or edge AI applications
Soft Skills:
- Strong technical leadership and ownership mindset
- Excellent cross-functional communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to mentor and guide engineers across analog, digital, layout, and system domains
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Comfortable making architecture-level decisions under ambiguity
- Effective at managing external vendors, IP providers, and design partners
- Results-driven with a strong focus on execution and quality
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 to 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:
$192,000.00 - $288,000.00
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 Principal Engineer Jobs at Qualcomm
Align your portfolio with Qualcomm's media stack
Qualcomm's Principal Engineer hiring in media focuses on codec optimization, video processing pipelines, and display technologies. Review published patents and open-source contributions from Qualcomm engineers to understand the technical depth expected before you apply.
Verify your visa category before accepting an offer
Qualcomm sponsors multiple visa types at the Principal Engineer level. Confirm in writing which category your offer covers, since H-1B1 visa and TN have different renewal timelines and employer obligations than a standard H-1B petition filed through USCIS.
Target roles that reference IC design or multimedia subsystems
Qualcomm's Principal Engineer postings that mention Snapdragon multimedia, camera ISP, or audio DSP tend to require specialized credentials that map cleanly to specialty occupation criteria, which strengthens your H-1B petition and reduces the risk of a Request for Evidence.
Request premium processing before your OPT expiration window closes
If you're on F-1 OPT and Qualcomm files your H-1B, the standard USCIS processing timeline can run past your OPT end date. Ask your recruiter early whether premium processing is included, since the 15 business day adjudication window matters for your work authorization continuity.
Prepare a degree equivalency analysis for three-year degrees
Qualcomm frequently hires internationally educated engineers. If your bachelor's degree is a three-year program, have a credential evaluation completed before the offer stage. USCIS scrutinizes degree equivalency at the Principal Engineer level, so a formal evaluation from a NACES-member agency removes a common petition obstacle.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open roles by sponsorship type
Qualcomm posts Principal Engineer positions across multiple business units with different sponsorship policies. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to filter specifically for roles that match your visa category and target the right team from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Qualcomm sponsor H-1B visas for Principal Engineers?
Yes, Qualcomm sponsors H-1B visas for Principal Engineers and does so consistently across its engineering divisions, including those focused on media and multimedia processing. Qualcomm participates in the annual H-1B lottery through USCIS and is also registered with E-Verify, which is required for employers filing cap-subject petitions. If you're already in H-1B visa status, Qualcomm can also file an H-1B transfer without waiting for the lottery.
How do I apply for Principal Engineer jobs at Qualcomm?
Apply directly through Qualcomm's careers portal, where Principal Engineer roles are listed by business unit and location. Tailor your application to the specific technical domain listed, since Qualcomm's hiring panels for media-focused roles assess depth in areas like codec architecture, signal processing, or multimedia subsystems. You can also browse current openings that match your visa type on Migrate Mate before applying directly to Qualcomm.
Which visa types does Qualcomm commonly use for Principal Engineer roles?
Qualcomm sponsors a broad range of visa categories at the Principal Engineer level, including H-1B, H-1B1 visa for Chilean and Singaporean nationals, TN visa for Canadian and Mexican engineers, F-1 OPT and CPT for students transitioning from academic programs, J-1 visa for exchange visitors, and employment-based Green Card pathways through EB-2 and EB-3 PERM. The visa type offered depends on your nationality, current status, and the specific role.
What qualifications does Qualcomm expect for Principal Engineer candidates?
Qualcomm's Principal Engineer roles typically require an advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, plus significant industry experience in a specialized domain. For media-focused positions, depth in areas like video codec standards, display driver architecture, or multimedia processing pipelines is expected. Publications, patents, or contributions to standards bodies like MPEG or ITU can differentiate candidates at this seniority level.
How long does the visa sponsorship process typically take after a Qualcomm offer?
Timeline depends on your visa category. For H-1B, the annual lottery registration window opens in March, with employment starting October 1 at the earliest under standard processing, or potentially sooner if premium processing is used and a cap-exempt path applies. TN status for Canadian nationals can be obtained at the border in a single day. Green Card sponsorship through PERM typically takes one to three years from initiation, depending on DOL processing and your priority date.