Staff Software Engineer Jobs at Qualcomm with Visa Sponsorship
Staff Software Engineer jobs at Qualcomm sit at the intersection of semiconductor innovation and software-defined systems, spanning areas like media processing, camera pipelines, and video codecs. Qualcomm has a well-established sponsorship infrastructure and regularly supports engineers through H-1B visa and Green Card processes.
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Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary:
We are hiring a hands-on systems software engineer to design, maintain, and improve Linux tools and services used on hosts equipped with our PCIe-based accelerator devices.
You cross over between userspace and the Linux kernel- or even QNX- when given the chance. You relish the opportunity to work on the kernel even if you have mostly worked in userspace. You are excited to work on accelerator products for video, AI and whatever else comes along.
You deliver software that is reliable and a joy to use.
What You’ll Do
- Design, implement, and maintain Linux services and tools in modern C or Rust
- Integrate with IPC/RPC techniques such as TCP/IP, Unix domain sockets and messaging libraries
- Build CLI tools that are user-friendly, have built-in help, are intuitive and don't crash
- Serialize and deserialize to formats (JSON, binary, etc) to integrate with other endpoints
- Create shared libraries that export user-friendly APIs for developers using our products
- Use containers where it makes sense, for example, to standardize builds, and manage dependencies
- Use a rich ecosystem of AI tools to turbo boost your development
- Use a variety of Linux distributions
- Create packages (DEB/RPM)
- Document plentifully
Required Qualifications:
- Linux software development experience using modern C and/or Rust
- Familiarity with CMake, make, gcc or clang, gdb, valgrind, and git
- Practical experience writing TCP/IP socket programs
- CLI tool development with a user-first mindset
Nice to Have:
- Knowledge of video application pipelines and GStreamer, FFmpeg, V4L2, or OpenCV
- Knowledge of TCP/IP (IPv4/v6, TCP, UDP, TUN/TAP, veth, bridging)
- Knowledge of Linux system management (users, disks, networks)
- Experience with PCIe and host-device concepts
- Interest in Linux kernel development or QNX
- Exposure to AI accelerator software stacks
- Understanding of DMA, DMABUF, and IOMMU
- Experience flashing firmware
- Python or bash scripting
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.
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 Staff Software Engineer Jobs at Qualcomm
Align your portfolio to Qualcomm's software domains
Qualcomm's Staff Software Engineer openings frequently target camera ISP, video encode/decode, and multimedia frameworks. Tailor your resume and project portfolio to reflect experience in these areas before applying, not after you get a recruiter call.
Verify your OPT timeline before interview loops
Staff-level roles at Qualcomm often involve multi-round interview processes spanning four to eight weeks. If you're on F-1 OPT, confirm your remaining authorization window covers the full process and any pre-boarding gap before committing to the loop.
Clarify sponsorship scope during the offer stage
Qualcomm sponsors both H-1B and EB-2/EB-3 Green Cards, but internal policies on when PERM gets initiated vary by team and headcount. Ask your recruiter directly which pathways the hiring team has approved for the specific role before signing.
Understand the H-1B cap and Qualcomm's cap-exempt workaround
If you miss the H-1B lottery, Qualcomm occasionally places engineers at cap-exempt research institutions on a temporary basis. Ask whether that pathway is available for your role rather than assuming a lottery loss ends the sponsorship conversation.
Use Migrate Mate to track open Staff Software Engineer roles at Qualcomm
Qualcomm posts Staff Software Engineer roles across multiple business units simultaneously, and availability shifts quickly. Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for Qualcomm openings that confirm visa sponsorship, so you're targeting active listings rather than outdated postings.
Request the LCA before your start date arrives
Your employer files the Labor Condition Application with DOL before USCIS can process your H-1B petition. Confirm with Qualcomm's immigration team that the LCA is certified and the I-129 is filed with enough lead time to avoid any gap in your work authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Qualcomm sponsor H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineers?
Yes, Qualcomm sponsors H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineers and has a dedicated immigration team that manages the process. Sponsorship is tied to the specific role and business unit, so it's worth confirming with your recruiter that the team you're interviewing with has budget and approval to sponsor before you get deep into the interview process.
How do I apply for Staff Software Engineer jobs at Qualcomm?
Applications go through Qualcomm's careers portal, but roles fill quickly and not all postings explicitly confirm visa sponsorship. Migrate Mate filters Qualcomm's Staff Software Engineer listings specifically for positions that support sponsorship, which saves you from applying to roles where immigration support isn't available. Tailoring your application to Qualcomm's core software domains, like multimedia or camera systems, improves your chances of moving past initial screening.
Which visa types does Qualcomm commonly use for Staff Software Engineers?
Qualcomm sponsors H-1B, H-1B1 visa, TN visa, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, and J-1 visas for Staff Software Engineer roles, and also supports Green Card sponsorship through the EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based categories. The right visa depends on your nationality and current status. TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering roles, while H-1B is the standard path for most other international engineers.
What qualifications does Qualcomm expect for Staff Software Engineer roles?
Staff Software Engineer is a senior-level designation at Qualcomm, typically requiring substantial hands-on experience beyond a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Qualcomm's openings in this category frequently emphasize deep expertise in areas like video processing, multimedia software stacks, Linux kernel development, or camera pipeline tuning. Demonstrating ownership of complex technical systems, not just participation in them, is what separates competitive candidates at this level.
How do I navigate the Green Card process as a Staff Software Engineer at Qualcomm?
Qualcomm typically sponsors eligible Staff Software Engineers for Green Cards through the EB-2 or EB-3 categories, which require PERM labor certification filed with DOL before USCIS can adjudicate the immigrant petition. The timeline from PERM filing to Green Card approval can stretch several years for applicants born in India or China due to visa backlogs. Raising the Green Card timeline with your hiring manager and immigration contact early in the offer process helps you plan realistically.