Support Engineer (Lab Support and Mechanical Engineering)
Qualcomm· Semiconductors· Oct 6, 2026 · 22d ago
San Diego, California, United States of America
In office
Full-time
Mid
$114K–$160K est.
2+ years exp
Job description
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Services Group, Engineering Services Group > Support Engineering
General Summary:
The role in one sentence...
Hands on engineer - designing, building, installing, maintaining, and debugging mechanical and electro-mechanical hardware and infrastructure while supporting daily validation-lab operations
Role Overview
We are seeking a hands-on Lab Support and Mechanical Support Engineer to provide end-to-end support for a fast-paced SoC post-silicon validation lab. The position combines mechanical and electro-mechanical design, fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, and sustaining ownership, along with broad lab-support responsibilities.
The support engineer will develop and improve fixtures, handler tooling and changeover kits, board supports and adapters, rack and shelf solutions, cable-management features, hardware storage and transport systems, and other practical lab improvements.
In parallel or when mechanical tasks are not priority, the engineer will support silicon testing, characterization, regression, platform bring-up, automated handlers, thermal equipment, development boards, power and connectivity equipment, PCs, instruments, racks, and related validation infrastructure.
The ideal candidate enjoys solving real hardware problems, is comfortable moving between CAD or documentation work and hands-on lab execution, and can coordinate effectively with validation engineers, technicians, automation and electrical teams, project managers, facilities, IT, machine shops, and suppliers.
Role and Responsibilitie s
Mechanical systems and infrastructure support
· Design, draft, build, install, configure, inspect, and sustain fixtures, brackets, adapters, mounts, board supports, shelves, protective features, handler kits, and other lab hardware.
· Create or modify parametric 3D CAD models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using Creo, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Inventor, or equivalent tools.
· Gather requirements from lab users, propose practical concepts, participate in design reviews, and incorporate feedback into released or prototype solutions.
· Assemble prototype and deployed hardware using commercially available, 3D-printed, CNC-machined, laser-cut, or sheet-metal components.
· Perform fit checks, alignment checks, measurements, assembly trials, and functional verification; revise, repair, or improve hardware based on results.
· Debug fit, access, mounting, cable-routing, serviceability, airflow, vibration, durability, and other mechanical or electro-mechanical integration issues.
· Implement and validate fixtures, handler tooling, thermal-equipment interfaces, rack integrations, storage systems, and lab-space improvements.
· Work with engineers, machine shops, and suppliers to define requirements, request quotations, review builds, inspect received parts, resolve fabrication issues, and track delivery needs.
· Create and maintain assembly instructions, parts lists, BOMs, drawings, revision records, maintenance notes, acceptance checks, and hardware inventories.
· Drive improvements in equipment accessibility, lab-space utilization, hardware storage, cable management, changeover efficiency, setup repeatability, safety, and operational robustness.
· Work with project managers and engineering teams to identify equipment needs, assess existing inventory, place or support orders, and follow status and delivery timelines through completion.
· Maintain inventory of parts, tools, fixtures, kits, spares, and related lab equipment.
· Support equipment receiving, movement, deployment, maintenance planning, sustaining activities, and end-of-life replacement.
· Communicate work status, technical findings, risks, priorities, and dependencies clearly to stakeholders.
Lab operations and validation support
· Set up, configure, reconfigure, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot post-silicon validation platforms, including development boards, form-factor devices, PCs, connectivity and power equipment, thermal units or chambers, instruments, racks, and related hardware.
· Handle silicon and support lab-based test execution, characterization, regression, debug experiments, and recovery of validation setups.
· Run tests on automated test handlers and related systems, isolate setup or system failures, review findings with engineers, and communicate results clearly.
· Independently manage assigned validation runs and operational commitments with ownership appropriate to project complexity.
· Triage user-reported setup issues and distinguish likely mechanical, electrical, connectivity, software, automation, IT, or facility dependencies.
· Serve as a support point of contact for selected projects during planning, equipment readiness, bring-up, high-volume validation, and post-bring-up activities.
· Manage one or more handlers or lab systems for targeted operational use cases and drive readiness, reliability, maintainability, and safe operation.
· Prepare robotic pick-and-place handlers for use, troubleshoot handler inputs and mechanical or basic electrical problems, and install project-specific changeover kits.
· Support lab service requests from engineering teams with limited guidance and provide responsive, customer-focused follow-through.
· Partner with facilities, IT, mechanical teams, vendors, and other stakeholders to resolve infrastructure, equipment, and maintenance needs.
· Improve test procedures, setup instructions, documentation, lab workflows, and operational efficiency.
· Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and ESD-compliant laboratory environment.
Minimum Requirements
· High school diploma or equivalent plus relevant technical experience, OR an associate degree or technical certification in mechanical technology, manufacturing, electro-mechanical systems, electronics, computer hardware, or a related field, OR a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
· Five or more years of relevant experience in engineering support, validation or laboratory operations, mechanical or electro-mechanical assembly, manufacturing, equipment maintenance, military technical work, or a similar hands-on environment.
· Hands-on experience assembling, installing, configuring, modifying, troubleshooting, repairing, or maintaining physical hardware and lab equipment.
· Experience supporting automated handlers, pick-and-place systems, thermal equipment or chambers, rack-mounted platforms, test equipment, manufacturing equipment, or post-silicon validation laboratories.
· Working familiarity with mechanical assemblies, fasteners, materials, hand tools, measurement tools, fabrication methods, and safe equipment practices.
· Ability to interpret engineering drawings, assembly instructions, parts lists, BOMs, and mechanical documentation.
· Ability to use Windows-based PCs, common productivity tools, and basic networking or connectivity concepts relevant to lab setups.
· Strong systematic problem-solving, communication, organization, teamwork, documentation, planning, execution, and service-oriented support skills.
· Ability to work onsite, safely handle typical lab hardware and tools, and support project-driven activities outside core hours when required.
Preferred Qualifications
· Proficiency with parametric CAD or drafting tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Inventor, or equivalent, including creating or modifying parts, assemblies, and drawings.
· Experience designing or improving fixtures, adapters, board supports, handler kits, equipment mounts, racks, storage systems, or test-support hardware.
· Experience taking a mechanical or electro-mechanical solution from concept through fabrication, installation, debugging, documentation, deployment, and sustaining support.
· Experience with 3D printing, CNC-machined parts, sheet-metal components, laser-cut parts, or prototype fabrication.
· Experience assembling and troubleshooting electro-mechanical systems involving development boards, PCBs, cables, connectors, power supplies, cooling equipment, instrumentation, racks, or chassis.
· Experience coordinating with machine shops, fabrication vendors, prototype suppliers, facilities, IT, or internal manufacturing teams.
· Exposure to hardware inventory, spare-parts management, engineering changes, maintenance planning, or structured equipment documentation.
· Automation, scripting such as with Python, or data-collection experience that improves repetitive validation or lab-support activities.
· Familiarity with basic GD&T, design-for-manufacturability concepts, PCB mechanical integration, airflow or cooling considerations, or mechanical design reviews.
· Experience participating in automotive, robotics, mechanical, electrical, maker, military-maintenance, or other build-intensive projects.
· Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, debug systematically, improve documentation and processes, and balance urgent support with sustainable improvements.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of Support Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Associate's degree and 3+ years of Support Engineering or related work experience.
OR
High School Diploma or equivalent and 4+ years of Support Engineering or related work experience.
*Completed advanced degrees in a relevant field may be substituted for up to two years (Master’s = one year, Doctorate = two years) of work experience.
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 :
$41.70 - $62.50
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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