Industry not specified

Staff Software Engineer – Platform Debug

at Qualcomm

Tech LeadNo visa sponsorshipC/C++/C#

Posted 8 hours ago

No clicks

Compensation: $113,800 – $163,800 USD
City: Not specified
Country: Canada

We are seeking a skilled Software Platform Debug Engineer to design, develop, and debug low-level software that enables and supports debug visibility on high-performance server platforms. The role involves building dynamic debug (peek/poke) and post-mortem crash capabilities, working close to the hardware/software boundary across firmware, OS, platform software, and host tooling. This Senior- or Staff-level position emphasizes technical ownership, deep systems knowledge, and the ability to influence technical direction, with collaboration across cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions. Responsibilities include designing and maintaining debug functionality, diagnosing complex defects, developing tests, and driving fixes and improvements.

Company:

Qualcomm Canada ULC

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering

General Summary:

We are seeking a skilled Software Platform Debug Engineer to design, develop, and debug low‑level software that enables and supports debug visibility on high‑performance server platforms. These debug features include both dynamic debug (e.g., peek/poke) and post‑mortem (crash) capabilities. In this role, you will work close to the hardware/software boundary, solving complex system‑level issues across firmware, operating systems, platform software, and host tooling. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions that meet demanding performance and reliability requirements.

This position is suitable for Senior‑ or Staff‑level engineers who demonstrate strong technical ownership, deep systems knowledge, and the ability to influence technical direction. This is a replacement headcount.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain software to support debug functionality across multiple system layers
Troubleshoot and resolve highly complex software defects across integrated components
Analyze system behavior by gathering and correlating information across modules, subsystems, and interfaces
Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to identify root causes and deliver effective fixes
Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation strategies clearly to project leads and stakeholders
Identify design or implementation gaps and proactively drive solutions
Contribute technical input and solution strategies during design and debug reviews
Develop and execute unit and integration tests to ensure stability and functional correctness
Perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive technical feedback
Manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables for small‑ to medium‑sized initiatives

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.

• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years of experience building software stacks for high‑performance systems
5+ years of experience in debug software development (tools, firmware, applications)
Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering
10+ years of experience building and debugging software for high‑performance platforms
Experience with ARM debug architectures or frameworks

Technical Skills & Expertise

Experience designing and/or supporting debug capabilities in complex SoCs and high‑performance CPU architectures, including:
- JTAG debug and tooling
- High‑performance trace
- System crash analysis
Strong understanding of computer architecture, including:
- High‑performance server designs
- Hardware/software interfaces
Proficiency in C and assembly language
Systems programming experience using Python or similar languages
Familiarity with modern build systems and distributed version control workflows
Experience developing and debugging:
- Platform and system software
- Firmware and boot software
- Debug and diagnostic tools

Level of Responsibility

Autonomy: Operates independently with minimal supervision
Communication: Conveys complex technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership
Influence: Provides technical input that impacts key architectural and organizational decisions
Execution: Manages multi‑step, high‑complexity tasks with strong attention to detail
Innovation: Applies creativity and technical judgment to develop new approaches and solutions
Problem Solving: Uses advanced analytical reasoning to diagnose and resolve complex system issues

Applicants: 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).

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.

To 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.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

$113,800.00 - $163,800.00

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.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

Back to all C/C++ jobs

Apply now