Staff/Sr. Staff Software Engineer, AI Software Tools (Onsite)

## \nCompany:\n\nQualcomm Technologies, Inc.\n\n## Job Area:\n\nEngineering Group, Engineering Group \u003e Machine Learning Engineering\n\nGeneral Summary:\n\nTHIS IS A FULL-TIME ONSITE ROLE REQUIRING 5 DAYS A WEEK IN OFFICE AT QUALCOMM\u2019S SAN DIEGO LOCATION\n\nAs a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what\u2019s possible to enable next-generation experiences and drive digital transformation, creating a smarter, connected future for all.\n\nAs a Staff/Sr. Staff Software Engineer in the Qualcomm AI Stack SDK Software team, you will design, develop, and deliver advanced AI/ML software solutions for Generative AI inference on Snapdragon platforms. This role focuses on model optimization, quantization, graph transformations, and runtime execution for modern AI architectures including LLMs, LVMs, and LMMs.\n\nYou will work at the intersection of machine learning algorithms, inference optimization, graph lowering, and systems software, contributing directly to the Qualcomm AI Stack SDK (QAIRT), and associated tools, including delegates support for ONNX Runtime, Executorch and TFLite/LiteRT frameworks. You will collaborate with amazing engineers from different teams across multiple locations like ML Research, AI accelerator HW/SW teams, Product Management, Program Management, and QA to drive features from concept to production.\n\nThis role requires strong technical ownership, the ability to work independently, and the capability to drive features end-to-end while mentoring junior engineers.\n\nMinimum Qualifications:\n\n\u2022 Bachelor\u0027s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. \nOR \nMaster\u0027s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. \nOR \nPhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.\n\nResponsibilities:\n\n\u2022 Convert, optimize, and deploy AI models from PyTorch and ONNX frameworks for efficient inference on Snapdragon platforms.\n\n\u2022 Design and implement graph transformations, graph lowering, and optimization techniques within AI runtime environments such as ONNX Runtime, ExecuTorch and Qualcomm AI Stack SDK.\n\n\u2022 Apply knowledge of quantization and performance optimization to improve latency, throughput, memory usage, and power efficiency.\n\n\u2022 Work at the forefront of Generative AI, understanding advanced algorithms such as attention mechanisms, Mixture-of-Experts (MoE), Low Rank Adapter (LoRA) and emerging inference optimization techniques (e.g., Speculative Decoding etc.).\n\n\u2022 Collaborate with ML Research teams to prototype and productize new features and techniques into SDK solutions.\n\n\u2022 Debug complex issues across models, runtime, OS, compiler, and hardware layers, working closely with QA and customer teams.\n\n\u2022 Design, implement, and deliver new features and enhancements to the Qualcomm AI Stack SDK.\n\n\u2022 Participate in design reviews and code reviews, ensuring software quality and maintainability.\n\n\u2022 Mentor junior engineers helping them prioritize work, and drive execution across multiple initiatives.\n\nMinimum Qualification (Must Have)\n\n\u2022 Bachelor\u2019s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field and 6+ years (Staff) / 8+ years (Sr. Staff) of experience in software design, development, and delivery.\n\n\u2022 OR\n\n\u2022 Master\u2019s degree/PhD in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field and 5+ years (Staff) / 7+ years (Sr. Staff) of experience in software design, development and delivery.\n\n\u2022 3+ years of hands-on experience in AI/ML software development, with a focus on inference or model optimization.\n\n\u2022 Strong understanding of AI/ML fundamentals, including deep learning and inference pipelines.\n\n\u2022 Deep understanding of transformer architectures, attention mechanisms, and performance tradeoffs.\n\n\u2022 Proficiency in Python and C/C++ for production-quality software development.\n\n\u2022 Experience working with PyTorch and ONNX models and tooling.\n\n\u2022 Debugging skill of complex issues, perform root cause analysis, and ensure high system reliability\n\n\u2022 Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and drive complex features end-to-end.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\n\u2022 Working knowledge of graph theory, graph optimizations, and compiler-style transformations.\n\n\u2022 Experience with LLM, LVM, and LMM inference pipelines, including prefill and generation workflows.\n\n\u2022 Familiarity with Hugging Face ecosystem, including model repositories and interfaces such as PEFT.\n\n\u2022 Experience with LoRA, MoE-based models, and awareness of modern GenAI inference techniques.\n\n\u2022 Experience with Android and/or RTOS environments (e.g., QNX).\n\n\u2022 Experience with CMake-based build environments, agile software development practices, and git-based SCM.\n\n\u2022 2+ years of experience in embedded software or system-level software development and optimization.\n\n\u2022 At least 2 years of experience interacting with senior leadership (Director level and above).\n\n\u2022 Ability to collaborate across a globally diverse team and manage multiple priorities.\n\n\u2022 Previous experience of mentoring junior engineers\n\n\u2022 User-level or development experience with Qualcomm AI Stack / SDKs (e.g., QAIRT, QNN, Genie).\n\n\u2022 Exposure to Snapdragon SoCs and AI accelerators such as NPU.\n\n\u2022 Prior hands-on experience with GenAI features such as transformer architectures, LoRA, MoE, speculative decoding, and vision encoder/decoder models.\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$158,400.00 - $237,600.00\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