Software Engineer - WLAN

## \nCompany:\n\nQualcomm Atheros, Inc.\n\n## Job Area:\n\nEngineering Group, Engineering Group \u003e Software Engineering\n\nGeneral Summary:\n\n## Role Overview\n\nWe are seeking an experienced WLAN Firmware Engineer with deep expertise in datapath architecture to design, develop, and optimize high\u2011performance Wi\u2011Fi firmware running on embedded processors. The role focuses on Tx/Rx datapath design, host\u2013firmware interfaces, buffer/credit management, and performance\u2011critical firmware subsystems across next\u2011generation WLAN standards.\n\nYou will work closely with MAC/PHY, host driver, platform, and silicon teams to deliver scalable, low\u2011latency, and power\u2011efficient datapath solutions for consumer, enterprise, XR and IoT Wi\u2011Fi products.\n\n## Why Join Us\n\n * Work on cutting\u2011edge WLAN silicon and firmware architectures.\n\n * Influence core datapath designs used across multiple product lines.\n\n * Collaborate with industry\u2011leading experts in wireless systems and embedded software.\n\n\n\n\n## Key Responsibilities\n\n * Implement performance\u2011critical datapath firmware modules in C for embedded RTOS or bare\u2011metal environments.\n\n * Optimize datapath code for throughput, latency, CPU utilization, and power efficiency.\n\n * Drive performance tuning for Wi\u2011Fi 6/6E/7 features including MU\u2011MIMO, OFDMA, TWT, and advanced rate control interactions.\n\n * Analyze firmware traces, logs, and statistics to identify datapath bottlenecks.\n\n * Add robust debug, telemetry, and error\u2011handling hooks for datapath observability.\n\n\n\n\nCross\u2011Functional Collaboration\n\n * Collaborate with host driver teams to align datapath APIs, flow control, and feature offloads.\n\n * Work with MAC/PHY and silicon teams to co\u2011design firmware\u2011hardware interactions.\n\n * Support system integration, customer escalations, and field issue triage related to datapath behavior.\n\n\n\n\nMinimum Qualifications:\n\n\u2022 Bachelor\u0027s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. \nOR \nMaster\u0027s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. \nOR \nPhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience. \n \n\u2022 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\n\n * Bachelor\u2019s or Master\u2019s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.\n\n * 5-8+ years of embedded firmware development experience, with significant focus on WLAN or networking datapath.\n\n * Strong proficiency in C, with deep understanding of low\u2011level memory management and concurrency.\n\n * Hands\u2011on experience with Tx/Rx datapath design, buffer pools, descriptor rings, and DMA\u2011based architectures.\n\n * Solid understanding of IEEE 802.11 protocols and MAC\u2011layer data handling.\n\n * Experience working in resource\u2011constrained, real\u2011time firmware environments.\n\n * Direct experience with Wi\u2011Fi 6 / 6E / 7 (802.11ax / 11be) datapath features.\n\n * Experience designing high\u2011throughput, low\u2011latency firmware datapaths for AP or STA products.\n\n * Strong debugging skills using firmware logs, memory dumps, and trace frameworks.\n\n * Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading architecture reviews.\n\n\n\n\nQualcomm 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 [email protected] or call Qualcomm\u0027s 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).\n\nTo 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.\n\nEEO 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.\n\nQualcomm 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.\n\nPay range and Other Compensation \u0026 Benefits: \n\n$151,900.00 - $227,900.00\n\nThe 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 \u2013 and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.\n\nIf you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.\n