Lead RF Systems Engineer

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General Summary:

Headquartered in San Diego, for over 30 years Qualcomm’s inventions have created new technologies that have positively changed the world. Qualcomm is inventing these new technologies for an intelligently connected future, spearheading research efforts for the next global wireless standard, and collaborating with the top industry leaders to make this future a successful reality.

To achieve these goals, we need a very experienced and hands-on RF Systems Engineer with a strong theoretical background to solve multifaceted RF related challenges.  You would be acting as the RF Systems Lead for UWB (Ultra Wide Band).  Additionally, you would be working on other technologies such as BCS (Bluetooth Channel Sounding), BT, WLAN, 15.4 Thread, 15.4NBA, and FM broadcast reception, and Coexistence between these technologies.

This job requires excellent debug capabilities, to resolve new and vague issues that would range all the way from the antenna, PCB, SAW/BAW/Ceramic filters, FEM, Transceiver, Mixed Signal, and to the Modem.  You would be responsible for providing the RF specifications to the RF/A circuit designers for various blocks, such as NF, Sensitivity, AGC and Peak Detector Thresholds, Linearity, Gain, TX Emissions, TX EVM, Filter Specifications, ADC/DAC, Digital PA’s, and etc.  You would also be responsible for debugging various PCB level issues such as RF matching, decoupling, and antenna related issues and radiation pattern measurements and analysis for various customer platforms.

This RF Systems Lead position requires you to have full understanding of how to operate various high end spectrum analyzers and network analyzers.  UWB technology specific knowledge is a plus, however, very strong RF circuit related knowledge and understanding is a must. 

As a Qualcomm RF Systems Engineer, you have the opportunity to push the boundaries of what exists and establish the new standards for tomorrow. You will working as a major contributor to a team of proficient and open-minded engineers to innovate new features for UWB, WIFI, and Bluetooth. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Required for this Role:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field with min 12 years of RF related experience.
• Define and own RF system architecture and performance objectives for wireless connectivity radio implementations.
• Lead collaboration with RFIC designers, modem algorithm teams, and hardware architects to define performance specifications that ensure robust coexistence across multiple wireless standards.
• Spearhead multi-radio concurrency planning, identifying and mitigating interference across Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB, LTE/5G, and other radios in complex platforms.
• Act as the primary technical interface with antenna design teams, ensuring optimal radiated performance through co-design of RF system and antenna topology.
• Drive RF system bring-up and debugging, using advanced lab tools to root-cause performance issues at the chip, board, and antenna level.
• Support system validation debug efforts, including RF KPIs, coexistence testing, and radiated emissions/immunity evaluations.
• Strong foundation in RF Power Amplifiers, LNAs, ADC/DAC’s, and Antennas.
• Complete understanding of transceiver RF circuits/blocks, problem detection, and debug. 
• Familiarity with wireless radio standard 802.11, BT SIG, and regulatory requirements from FCC, ETSI, and others.
• Proficiency in measuring parameters such as EVM, TX Emissions, RX Blocking and Coexistence, TX and RX performance analysis. 
• Must be fully proficient with various spectrum analyzers and network analyzers.  General understanding to operate Phase Noise Analyzer and Vector Signal Analyzers is a plus. 
• Simulation experience with Python, MATHLAB, Simulink, Cadence, ADS, and etc. 
• Review and guide board-level hardware development, including schematic and layout reviews for RF signal integrity, grounding, isolation, and cross-talk minimization.
• Mentor junior engineers, influence design decisions across departments, and contribute to long-term technology and product roadmap planning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of industry experience in RF systems design, integration, and validation, with a focus on wireless connectivity.
• Proven track record in specifying and validating RF performance for multi-radio products in high-volume consumer, mobile, or IoT platforms.
• Deep understanding of RF transceiver architecture, including all blocks in the TX/RX chain.
• Advanced proficiency with RF test equipment (e.g., spectrum/network analyzers, VSA, phase noise analyzers).
• Extensive experience in RF board/system debug, with hands-on lab expertise and data-driven problem solving.
• Strong understanding of radio coexistence mechanisms, EMC/EMI mitigation, and system-level interactions.
• Familiarity with wireless certification processes and regulatory requirements.
• UWB, BT, WLAN, and Broadcast FM technology specific knowledge is a plus. 
• Basic knowledge of communication theory and signal processing.
• Experience with wireless standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11, BT SIG, and etc.).
• Some expertise in designing and developing test automation frameworks using LabVIEW or other programs. 

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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:

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.