System Performance Engineer, Senior Staff at Qualcomm

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: System Performance Engineer, Senior Staff
Company: Qualcomm
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Job Type: On-site
Category: Senior Staff System Performance Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-06-13
Experience Level: 10+
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead system performance analysis and optimization for Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets across multiple business units
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement optimal power, performance, and thermal solutions
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers across multiple projects
Define and develop automation to enhance team efficiency
Analyze complex concurrent system use-cases and identify areas of performance optimization in both emulation and software environments

💻 Primary Responsibilities

System Performance Analysis: Enable, profile, and analyze complex concurrent system use-cases in both emulation and software environments (Android/Linux/Windows)
Performance and Power Analysis Planning: Define and document performance and power analysis plans for system use-cases across multiple workloads (CPU, GPU, AI/ML) as well as concurrent scenarios
Performance Optimization: Identify areas of performance optimization in the SoC for both Software and Hardware architectures
Performance Issue Triage: Direct triage of complex performance issues to determine root-cause and present results to internal and external stakeholders
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product management, hardware, and software engineering, etc.) to implement optimal power, performance, and thermal solutions
Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership, mentor, and guide engineers to successfully execute multiple programs
Reporting and Recommendations: Prepare clear and concise reports and recommendations for product teams up to senior executives to help drive business decisions and next generation architecture choices
Automation Development: Define and develop automation for the team to operate more efficiently

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in Computer Engineering

Experience: Over 10 years of practical post-silicon experience of power and performance analysis of complex SoCs

Required Skills:

Strong programming and scripting skills (Python, C/C++)
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Self-starter and able to work independently
Understanding of memory hierarchy, and system interconnects
Understanding of ARM SoC concepts and architecture specifications like SMMU, GIC, Coresight-PMU, and various bus interface protocols
Knowledge and experience in ARM v8 and v9 specifications
Experience with Vulkan, OpenGL, DX12, or CUDA
Understanding of industry power and performance benchmarks along with system interaction and dependencies
System power/performance analysis tools and techniques
Computer hardware and architecture understanding
Knowledge of SW Power management stacks and scheduler behavior

Preferred Qualifications:

3+ years of work experience in a role requiring interaction with senior leadership (Sr. Director, Vice President level and above)

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate proficiency in system performance analysis tools and techniques
Showcase experience in optimizing power, performance, and thermal behavior of complex SoCs
Highlight skills in collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement optimal solutions
Display expertise in defining and developing automation for system performance analysis

Technical Documentation:

Provide clear and concise reports and recommendations for system performance analysis
Document performance and power analysis plans for system use-cases across multiple workloads
Include detailed explanations of performance optimization techniques and root-cause analysis

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $179,000 - $268,400 per year

Benefits:

Competitive Annual Discretionary Bonus Program
Opportunity for annual RSU grants
Highly competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and employee stock purchase plans

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows and maintenance

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Qualcomm operates in the semiconductor industry, designing and manufacturing advanced wireless technology solutions

Company Size: Large (over 40,000 employees)

Founded: 1985, with a rich history in driving innovation in wireless technology

Team Structure:

The System Performance Team is part of the PPT Systems Engineering group within the Engineering Group
Collaborates with software, hardware, and architecture teams across multiple business units (Mobile, Compute, Automotive, and IOT)
Works closely with product management, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to ensure product requirements are met

Development Methodology:

Qualcomm follows Agile methodologies for software development, with a focus on continuous integration and delivery
Emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and regular code reviews to ensure high-quality products

Company Website: Qualcomm

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Staff System Performance Engineer, responsible for leading system performance analysis and optimization efforts across multiple projects and teams

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Manager of the System Performance Team, with a matrix reporting structure to other team members and stakeholders

Technical Impact: Drives business decisions and next-generation architecture choices by providing clear and concise reports and recommendations on system performance analysis

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: Develop and mentor junior engineers, leading multiple projects and driving technical innovation in system performance analysis
Architecture Decision-Making: Influence architecture decisions and next-generation product development by providing expert insights on system performance optimization
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends, applying new knowledge to enhance system performance analysis and optimization

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and knowledge-sharing

Office Location(s): San Diego, California, United States, with additional offices worldwide

Workspace Context:

Modern, open-concept offices with ample workspace and collaboration areas
Access to state-of-the-art tools, equipment, and technology for system performance analysis and optimization
Opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling, with a focus on work-life balance

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss the role, qualifications, and career goals
Technical Phone Interview: A deeper dive into technical skills and system performance analysis experience
On-site Interview: A full-day on-site interview, including technical presentations, case studies, and behavioral interviews
Final Decision: A final decision is made, and the selected candidate is extended an offer

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight proficiency in system performance analysis tools and techniques
Showcase experience in optimizing power, performance, and thermal behavior of complex SoCs
Demonstrate skills in collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement optimal solutions
Provide clear and concise reports and recommendations for system performance analysis

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on ARM architecture, system performance analysis tools, and industry benchmarks
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner
Prepare for case studies and live coding exercises related to system performance analysis and optimization

ATS Keywords: System Performance Analysis, Power Optimization, Thermal Behavior, ARM Architecture, Software/Hardware Architecture, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Technical Leadership, Agile Methodologies, Semiconductor Industry, Web Portfolio, Technical Documentation, Resume Optimization

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this System Performance Engineer, Senior Staff position at Qualcomm:

Submit your application through the Qualcomm Careers website
Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences in system performance analysis and optimization
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on ARM architecture, industry benchmarks, and system performance analysis tools
Research Qualcomm's company culture, values, and mission to demonstrate a strong fit for the role and organization

System Performance Engineer, Senior Staff