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5G/6G System Integration & Test Engineer

Qualcomm

Location
Onsite (San Diego, CA,US)
Compensation
$93k - $140k/yr
Employment
Full-time
Level
Mid Level
Posted 1 week ago

About the role

Qualcomm's Wireless R&D group is seeking a System Integration & Test Engineer to validate next-generation 5G and 6G cellular technologies. The role involves defining protocol test plans, debugging complex stack issues, and ensuring compliance with 3GPP standards to build the foundation for future wireless protocols.

Skills

5G NR 6G Protocol testing Python QXDM QCAT Wireshark 3GPP standards L1/L2/L3 layers NAS RRC PDCP RLC MAC Test automation Signal analysis

Perks

  • Annual discretionary bonus
  • Annual RSU grants

Full job details


Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Cellular System Test Engineering

General Summary:

Qualcomm's Wireless R&D group develops the Test Base Station (TBS), a platform used to verify the functionality of QCT mobile chipsets. In this role, you will define, develop, and execute protocol test plans that validate next-generation cellular technologies. You will work closely with development teams to debug complex protocol stack issues, ensure compliance with 3GPP standards (Release 15 through 18 and beyond), and help build the foundation for 6G wireless protocols.

Key Responsibilities

  • Test design and execution: Create, update, and execute comprehensive test plans for 5G NR (Standalone and Non-Standalone) and early 6G protocol layers (L1/L2/L3).
  • Protocol analysis: Analyze air interface logs and debug complex signaling across the NAS, RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC layers.
  • Test automation: Design and maintain Python test scripts that improve test coverage and execution efficiency.
  • Collaboration: Work with software developers, system architects, and field engineers to reproduce, isolate, and resolve critical defects.
  • Standards alignment: Track evolving 3GPP standards and turn new feature requirements into actionable test cases.
  • Documentation: Write detailed test plans, procedures, and reports that track validation progress and coverage.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience in cellular protocol testing or development.
  • Deep technical understanding of 3GPP 5G NR protocols, including the architectural differences between SA and NSA modes.
  • Proficiency with log analysis tools such as Qualcomm QXDM/QCAT, Wireshark, or vendor-specific trace tools.
  • Strong Python programming or scripting skills for test automation.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with millimeter-wave (mmWave) and sub-6 GHz RF environments.
  • Exposure to early 6G research, whitepapers, or simulations (for example, AI-driven air interfaces).
  • Experience with Open RAN (O-RAN) architectures and interfaces.

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).

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.

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:

$93,400.00 - $140,000.00

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 – 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.