Principal SoC Architect, AI Data Center
Qualcomm· Semiconductors· Sep 17, 2026 · 1mo ago
San Diego, California, United States of America
In office
Full-time
Principal
$177K–$239K est.
8+ years exp
Job description
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > SoC Architecture
General Summary:
Qualcomm’s Data Center AI Architecture team defines next-generation cloud AI system-on-chip (SoC) and systems for generative AI inference workloads that demand exceptional compute, memory bandwidth, capacity, and system scalability.
We are seeking exceptional architects to help shape multiple generations of AI accelerators and complete data center systems, with a strong focus on SoC, memory, and system architecture and technologies.
If you are passionate about solving complex architecture challenges in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while contributing to building a substantial new business for one of the leading system-on-chip and computer architecture companies in the industry, we want to hear from you.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of experience in one or more system architecture technology areas and products (e.g., Power System, Shared Resource Management, Limits/Thermal Management, Hardware Islands).
In this role, you will:
• Provide technical leadership across SoC and system architecture studies, product definition, and implementation guidance
• Translate product and workload requirements into scalable SoC and system solutions
• Develop SoC and system models and specifications, and drive feature-set requirements into technology, IP, platform, and software teams
• Quantify system-level performance, power, area, cost, capacity, memory bandwidth, network topology/bandwidth/latency, and scalability tradeoffs, while driving analysis methods and tools
• Follow designs through implementation and production, correlate observed system performance with models and targets, identify root causes of gaps, and drive performance to closure
• Drive competitive analysis across SoC, platform, system, compute, memory, data center networking, software, and deployment considerations
• Partner across architecture, design, systems, product, software, platform, and customer teams to influence roadmaps and deliver market-leading data center systems
• Identify areas for innovations and drive development of patents
• Provide team leadership and mentor technical contributors
Preferred Qualifications:
• MS or PhD in EE, ECE, CE, CS, or a related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience in SoC, platform, or system architecture; AI accelerators; memory architecture; or memory technologies
• Demonstrated ownership of complex architectural deliverables, with the ability to lead across teams, build alignment, and influence technical direction
• Deep computer and system architecture expertise spanning processors, accelerators, memory systems, data center network fabrics, interconnects, hardware/software interfaces, platform topology, and SoC and system implementation tradeoffs
• Ability to frame ambiguous problems and lead quantitative SoC, system, and competitive studies using high-level calculators, spreadsheets, analytical models, profilers, and functional or performance simulators
• Experience driving development of architecture methodologies, tools, and analysis frameworks and translating findings into actionable recommendations
• Experience correlating modeled and measured system performance, isolating hardware and software bottlenecks, and driving cross-functional performance closure through production
• Excellent technical and executive communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills
• Self-directed execution, mentorship of others, and rigorous attention to accuracy
Additional Qualifications:
• Understanding of generative AI and machine-learning workloads, especially Large Language Model inference and accelerator bottlenecks
• Experience in processor, accelerator, or system architecture, including ISA design, microarchitecture, performance modeling, system topology, scale-up or scale-out interconnects, or hardware/software co-design
• Knowledge of DRAM and memory-controller architecture, bandwidth, latency, and power tradeoffs, protocols such as LPDDR, HBM, DDR, or GDDR, and emerging technologies such as processing-in-memory, processing-near-memory, or 3D integration
• Expertise in one or more data center SoC or system technologies such as RAS, ECC, security, encryption, Ethernet or InfiniBand networking, RDMA, network interface controllers, switches, congestion control, chip-to-chip or die-to-die protocols, chiplets, PHYs, power and thermals, advanced packaging, platform management, or system scalability
• Programming ability for architecture modeling and automation; object-oriented C++ and Python preferred
• Fluent with using AI to accelerate workflows
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).
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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 :
$216,600.00 - $325,000.00
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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