SoC Systems Performance Engineer, Senior at Qualcomm

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SoC Systems Performance Engineer, Senior
Company: Qualcomm
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Job Type: On-site
Category: Senior Systems Performance Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-07-29
Experience Level: 2-5 years

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Lead and conduct performance and systems studies to define SoC architecture plans, considering performance, power, and thermal aspects.
Key Skills: SoC Performance Analysis, Computer Architecture, C/C++ Programming, System Engineering, Simulation Tools, Power Modeling, VLSI Design, HW/SW Interaction, Multimedia Technologies, AI Workloads, Gaming Workloads, Thermal Analysis, Communication Technologies, Memory Technologies, Scripting Skills, Presentation Skills.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Engineer market-leading SoC products with best-in-class performance
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define complex use cases and infer systems requirements.
- Deploy simulators, profilers, or hardware to understand performance bottlenecks and justify architectural changes or tuning.
- Directly apply computer architecture knowledge of CPUs, GPUs, DSPs, cache coherency, virtual memory, etc.
Lead and conduct performance and systems studies
- Define complex use cases including new workloads (Gaming, AI) and infer systems requirements.
- Deploy simulators, profilers, or hardware to understand performance bottlenecks and justify architectural changes or tuning.
Collaborate with HW and SW teams to define best-in-class multimedia, modem, compute and memory technologies
- Work with architects and engineers in core HW design & verification, SW, marketing, and product planning teams.
Define complex use cases including new workloads (Gaming, AI) and infer systems requirements
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define complex use cases and infer systems requirements.
Deploy simulators, profilers, or hardware to understand performance bottlenecks and provide quantitative justification for architectural changes or tuning
- Lead and conduct performance and systems studies to define SoC architecture plans considering performance, power, and thermal aspects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience: 3+ years of relevant work experience in System Engineering or a related field.

Required Skills:

SoC Performance Analysis
Computer Architecture
C/C++ Programming
System Engineering
Simulation Tools
Power Modeling
VLSI Design
HW/SW Interaction
Multimedia Technologies
AI Workloads
Gaming Workloads
Thermal Analysis
Communication Technologies
Memory Technologies
Scripting Skills
Presentation Skills

Preferred Skills:

MS or PhD degree
Industry experience in computer architecture concepts and SoC product development

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering.
Showcase proficiency in C/C++ programming, simulation tools, and power modeling.
Highlight collaboration skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams.

Technical Documentation:

Document use cases, performance studies, and architectural decisions.
Provide quantitative justification for architectural changes or tuning.
Showcase understanding of performance optimization techniques and thermal analysis.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $122,500 - $183,700 per year

Benefits:

Competitive Annual Discretionary Bonus Program
Opportunity for Annual RSU Grants
Highly Competitive Benefits Package

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Semiconductors and Electronics Manufacturing
Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1985

Team Structure:

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including core HW design & verification, SW, marketing, and product planning teams.
Work with architects and engineers to define best-in-class multimedia, modem, compute, and memory technologies.

Development Methodology:

Define complex use cases and infer systems requirements.
Deploy simulators, profilers, or hardware to understand performance bottlenecks and justify architectural changes or tuning.

Company Website: Qualcomm

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualcomm's large team size and cross-functional collaboration requirements indicate a dynamic and complex work environment, with a strong focus on performance optimization and architectural innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Systems Performance Engineer, responsible for leading performance studies and defining SoC architecture plans.

Reporting Structure: Collaborate with architects and engineers in core HW design & verification, SW, marketing, and product planning teams.

Technical Impact: Define SoC architecture plans considering performance, power, and thermal aspects, with a significant influence on SoC product performance and energy efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Deepen expertise in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering.
Leadership Development: Gain experience in leading performance studies and mentoring junior engineers.
Architecture Decision-Making: Contribute to strategic architecture decisions and influence future SoC product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualcomm's large team size and complex product portfolio present significant growth opportunities for senior systems performance engineers, with potential to advance to technical leadership roles or specialized architecture positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a large, collaborative work environment.

Office Location(s): San Diego, California, United States

Workspace Context:

Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a large, on-site office environment.
Utilize simulation tools, profilers, and hardware to understand performance bottlenecks and optimize SoC architecture.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with potential for flexible scheduling to accommodate project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualcomm's on-site work environment encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing, with a structured work schedule that balances core responsibilities with project-specific deadlines and maintenance requirements.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Preparation: Brush up on computer architecture concepts, SoC performance analysis techniques, and C/C++ programming skills.
Use Case Analysis: Prepare for use case analysis and definition, focusing on new workloads (Gaming, AI) and their impact on SoC architecture.
Performance Optimization: Familiarize yourself with performance optimization techniques, power modeling, and thermal analysis.
Team Fit Assessment: Research Qualcomm's company culture and be prepared to discuss your alignment with their values and collaborative approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering.
Showcase your proficiency in C/C++ programming, simulation tools, and power modeling.
Demonstrate your ability to work with cross-functional teams and define complex use cases.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on computer architecture concepts, SoC performance analysis techniques, and C/C++ programming skills.
Practice use case analysis and definition, focusing on new workloads (Gaming, AI) and their impact on SoC architecture.
Familiarize yourself with performance optimization techniques, power modeling, and thermal analysis.

ATS Keywords: SoC Performance Analysis, Computer Architecture, C/C++ Programming, System Engineering, Simulation Tools, Power Modeling, VLSI Design, HW/SW Interaction, Multimedia Technologies, AI Workloads, Gaming Workloads, Thermal Analysis, Communication Technologies, Memory Technologies, Scripting Skills, Presentation Skills, Semiconductors, Electronics Manufacturing, Cross-Functional Teams, Architecture Decision-Making, Performance Optimization, SoC Product Development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tailor your resume and portfolio to emphasize relevant ATS keywords and showcase your proficiency in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable (focus on SoC performance analysis and architecture)

Backend & Server Technologies:

Simulation Tools (e.g., SystemC, event-driven simulators)
Profilers and performance/power models
Hardware and software architecture tools

Development & DevOps Tools:

C/C++ programming
Scripting skills (e.g., Python, Bash)
Version control systems (e.g., Git)
Collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence)

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualcomm's technology stack emphasizes simulation tools, profilers, and performance/power models, with a strong focus on C/C++ programming and scripting skills for SoC performance analysis and architecture.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Performance Optimization: Prioritize performance optimization and architectural innovation to deliver best-in-class SoC products.
Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment, working with cross-functional teams to define complex use cases and infer systems requirements.
Innovation: Encourage continuous learning and exploration of emerging technologies to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with core HW design & verification, SW, marketing, and product planning teams to define best-in-class multimedia, modem, compute, and memory technologies.
Code Review Culture: Encourage peer-to-peer code reviews and knowledge sharing to maintain high-quality architecture and performance standards.
Knowledge Sharing: Promote a culture of continuous learning and mentoring, with regular technical training and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualcomm's team culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and performance optimization, with a strong focus on cross-functional integration and knowledge sharing to deliver cutting-edge SoC products.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Emerging Workloads: Stay up-to-date with new workloads (Gaming, AI) and their impact on SoC architecture and performance.
Performance Optimization: Continuously optimize SoC architecture for best-in-class performance, power, and thermal efficiency.
Architecture Complexity: Navigate the complex landscape of SoC architecture, balancing performance, power, and thermal constraints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Deepen expertise in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering.
Emerging Technologies: Explore emerging technologies and their potential impact on SoC product development.
Architecture Decision-Making: Contribute to strategic architecture decisions and influence future SoC product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualcomm's technical challenges and growth opportunities emphasize continuous learning and adaptation, with a strong focus on emerging workloads, performance optimization, and architecture complexity.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Computer Architecture: Demonstrate a deep understanding of computer architecture concepts, such as CPUs, GPUs, DSPs, cache coherency, and virtual memory.
SoC Performance Analysis: Explain your approach to SoC performance analysis, including use case definition, simulation, and optimization techniques.
Performance Optimization: Describe your experience with performance optimization, power modeling, and thermal analysis.
Architecture Decision-Making: Discuss your involvement in architecture decision-making processes and the impact of your decisions on SoC product performance.

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Culture: Explain how your personal values align with Qualcomm's company culture, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and performance optimization.
Cross-Functional Teams: Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams and your ability to integrate with diverse stakeholders.
Technical Leadership: Discuss your experience in technical leadership roles or mentoring junior engineers, highlighting your ability to drive performance studies and architecture decisions.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Use Case Analysis: Present a detailed use case analysis, demonstrating your ability to define complex use cases and infer systems requirements.
Performance Optimization: Showcase your proficiency in performance optimization, power modeling, and thermal analysis through real-world examples and quantitative justification.
Architecture Decision-Making: Highlight your involvement in architecture decision-making processes and the impact of your decisions on SoC product performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tailor your interview preparation to emphasize your technical proficiency in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering, with a strong focus on use case analysis, performance optimization, and architecture decision-making.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this SoC Systems Performance Engineer, Senior position at Qualcomm:

Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant ATS keywords, such as SoC Performance Analysis, Computer Architecture, C/C++ Programming, System Engineering, and other relevant skills.
Portfolio Preparation: Curate your portfolio to showcase your experience in SoC performance analysis, computer architecture, and system engineering, with a strong focus on use case analysis, performance optimization, and architecture decision-making.
Technical Interview Preparation: Brush up on computer architecture concepts, SoC performance analysis techniques, and C/C++ programming skills. Practice use case analysis and definition, focusing on new workloads (Gaming, AI) and their impact on SoC architecture. Familiarize yourself with performance optimization techniques, power modeling, and thermal analysis.
Company Research: Research Qualcomm's company culture, values, and mission to ensure a strong alignment with your personal values and career goals. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process.

📝 Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

SoC Systems Performance Engineer, Senior