Modem System Test Engineer – 6G/5G Air Interface

About the role

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a motivated engineer to join the Modem System Test (MST) team in San Diego. The role contributes to building next‑generation wireless technologies, including 5G NR and emerging 6G systems, with opportunities to apply AI/ML techniques to products and engineering workflows. The engineer will work closely with cross‑functional teams—software, system, hardware, and RF design—to integrate, test, characterize, certify, and commercialize 6G/5G modem products for global markets.

Responsibilities

• Validate end‑to‑end system functionality and performance across the cellular protocol stack (PHY, MAC/RLC/PDCP, RRC, NAS, TCP/IP).
• Define modem key performance indicators and evaluate system performance, optimizing based on data from conducted, radiated, and live 6G/5G network testing.
• Develop and execute system‑level test strategies, methodologies, and test plans for modem features and use cases.
• Analyze 3GPP specifications and carrier requirements, translating them into robust validation scenarios and test coverage.
• Perform log analysis, debugging, and root‑cause investigation of modem issues across lab and field environments.
• Support feature integration, certification, and commercialization of global wireless products.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of digital and wireless communication systems, signal processing, and RF propagation.
• Knowledge of physical‑layer procedures such as signal detection, channel estimation, link adaptation, mmWave beam refinement, and massive MIMO.
• Familiarity with 5G NR PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC protocols.
• Understanding of OFDMA, Wi‑Fi, and LTE.
• Experience with air‑interface performance analysis, characterization, and optimization.
• Hands‑on experience with test equipment (protocol simulators, call boxes, channel emulators) for wireless product verification.
• Exposure to 5G infrastructure vendor‑specific NR call flows (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, Samsung).
• Programming skills in Python and MATLAB.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts and their application to digital communications (a plus).

Pay

Salary range: $127,800 – $191,800 per year. This range reflects the minimum to maximum pay scale for the location. Total compensation also includes a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and eligibility for annual RSU grants (excluding employees on sales‑incentive plans).

Benefits

Qualcomm offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support success at work, at home, and at play. Additional details about U.S. benefits are available through the recruiter.