Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK
Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK

Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK

Cambridge Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Qualcomm

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our ESL team to innovate and develop cutting-edge Bluetooth systems.
  • Company: Qualcomm, a leader in technology with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on next-gen tech while working with a talented team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and embedded systems required.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with significant autonomy and influence.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We are looking for a strong Software Engineer to join our Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) team working on QCC710-based platforms and operate as a technical leader, working across firmware, hardware, Bluetooth stack, and standards teams, with significant autonomy and influence over product and platform direction. In this role, you will own and evolve critical embedded software components for existing products while leading architecture, design, and research for next‐generation systems.

A core aspect of this role is driving innovation beyond current Bluetooth specifications, including contributions to standards, experimental protocol extensions, and system‐level design that pushes the limits of low‐power, massively scalable ESL deployments.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
  • 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.
Key Responsibilities
  • Maintain and enhance production firmware based on QCC710, ensuring robustness, power efficiency, and long‐term maintainability.
  • Architect and prototype next‐generation platform concepts, including radio behavior, protocol design, and system scalability.
  • Lead Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) innovation, including:
  • Identifying gaps or limitations in current Bluetooth specifications.
  • Designing experimental extensions or new profiles.
  • Contributing proposals and technical input into Bluetooth SIG or equivalent standards bodies.
  • Develop bare‐metal embedded software on ARM Cortex‐M class devices (M0/M3).
  • Own integration of BT IP, Qualcomm peripherals and SoC‐level features.
  • Influence system architecture.
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, validation, and system teams to co‐design HW/SW features.
  • Support customer engagements and advanced debugging for complex field or lab issues.
  • Work on location technologies such as Bluetooth Channel Sounding.
  • Required Skills & Experience
    • Expert‐level C programming for embedded systems.
    • Strong bare‐metal development experience.
    • Proficiency with Python for scripting, automation, and tooling.
    • ARM Cortex‐M/ RISC‐V platforms.
    • SoC‐level integration and low‐power system design.
    • Experience integrating complex IP blocks (e.g., radio, DMA, security, peripherals).
    • Deep understanding of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
    • Hands‐on experience with Bluetooth protocol stacks and profiles.
    • Ability to reason about RF behavior, timing, and power at the system level.
    • Zephyr OS experience.
    • SCons or comparable embedded build systems.
    • Advanced debugging using Trace32 (Lauterbach).
    • Experience with Segger J‐Link and low‐level trace/debug workflows.
    Desired / Advantageous Skills
    • Prior experience with QCC710‐specific platforms.
    • Experience with Qualcomm peripherals (e.g., QUPv3), SPI, I2C, UART.
    • Knowledge of Root of Trust and embedded security.
    • Prior involvement in Bluetooth SIG, standards bodies, or specification authoring.
    • Experience designing systems for large‐scale, ultra‐low‐power device fleets.
    Impact & Scope
    • Technical ownership of key ESL firmware and platform components.
    • Direct influence on next‐generation ESL architecture and Bluetooth evolution.
    • High autonomy with significant impact on product direction and standards strategy.
    • Role operates at Staff level, with expectations of cross‐team influence and technical leadership consistent with internal Staff Engineer definitions.
    Preferred Minimum Qualifications
    • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
    • 5+ years of embedded software engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated technical leadership.
    • Proven experience delivering production‐quality embedded systems.

    Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK employer: Qualcomm

    Qualcomm Technologies International Ltd is an exceptional employer located in Cambridge, UK, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and technical leadership. Employees benefit from significant autonomy in their roles, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to cutting-edge technology in Bluetooth systems and embedded software. The collaborative culture encourages cross-team influence and provides a platform for impactful contributions to next-generation products and standards.
    Qualcomm

    Contact Detail:

    Qualcomm Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK

    Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, tech talks, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    Tip Number 2

    Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to embedded systems or Bluetooth tech. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

    Tip Number 3

    Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions specific to embedded software and Bluetooth systems. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Confidence is key!

    Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, hit that apply button and let’s get you in the door!

    We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK

    C Programming
    Embedded Software Development
    Python Scripting
    ARM Cortex-M Development
    Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
    SoC-level Integration
    Zephyr OS
    Advanced Debugging
    Trace32
    Segger J-Link
    Low-Power System Design
    Bluetooth Protocol Stacks
    System Architecture
    Technical Leadership
    Collaboration with Hardware Teams

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Staff Software Engineer. Highlight your experience with embedded systems, Bluetooth technology, and any relevant programming languages like C or Python. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working with ESL and Bluetooth systems. Share specific examples of your past projects that demonstrate your technical leadership and innovation. We love a good story!

    Show Off Your Projects: If you've worked on any cool projects related to embedded software or Bluetooth, make sure to mention them! Whether it's a personal project or something from your previous job, we want to see your hands-on experience and creativity in action.

    Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Qualcomm. We can't wait to hear from you!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Qualcomm

    Know Your Tech Inside Out

    Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of embedded systems, especially with C programming and ARM Cortex-M platforms. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in firmware development.

    Showcase Your Innovation Skills

    Prepare examples of how you've contributed to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) innovations or any experimental protocol extensions. Highlight your experience with standards bodies like Bluetooth SIG, as this will show your ability to drive innovation.

    Collaborate Like a Pro

    Since this role involves working closely with hardware and validation teams, think of instances where you've successfully collaborated across teams. Be ready to discuss how you approach co-designing hardware and software features.

    Debugging Mastery

    Familiarise yourself with advanced debugging tools like Trace32 and Segger J-Link. Be prepared to talk about specific debugging challenges you've faced and how you resolved them, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

    Staff Software Engineer – ESL & Bluetooth Systems - Cambridge, UK
    Qualcomm
    Location: Cambridge

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