
Staff Engineer
Required skills
- RMA
- Return Material Authorizations
- server components
- server systems
- RMA records
- hardware failures
- component level
- root cause analysis
- corrective actions
- test plans
Nice to have
- hardware troubleshooting
- sustaining engineering
- hyperscaler server hardware
- cloud platforms
- soldering
- micro miniature
Role summary
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Staff Engineer specializing in RMA (Return Material Authorization) for hyperscaler and enterprise server products. This role involves managing the RMA process, including logging, auditing, and diagnosing returned hardware. The engineer will perform root cause analysis, execute test plans, validate server configurations for cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), and interface with cross-functional teams like engineering and supply chain. Responsibilities also include inventory management and coordinating repair processes. The position requires a Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of hardware engineering experience or equivalent advanced degrees with fewer years of experience. Familiarity with server hardware, cloud platforms, debugging, scripting, and automation tools is preferred.
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware EngineeringGeneral Summary:
The RMA Engineer is responsible for managing and processing Return Material Authorizations (RMAs) for hyperscaler and enterprise server products. This role ensures timely evaluation, troubleshooting, and disposition of returned hardware, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain product quality and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
• Review and log all returned server components and systems.
• Maintain accurate RMA records and audit documentation for compliance.
• Track reasons for returns and generate reports for trend analysis.
• Diagnose hardware failures down to component level.
• Perform root cause analysis and support corrective actions.
• Execute test plans for replacement parts and repaired units.
• Validate server SKUs and configurations for hyperscaler environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Interface with engineering, supply chain, and customer support teams.
• Conduct cycle counts of RMA units and manage inventory.
• Coordinate repair, upgrade, and return-to-service processes.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master's/Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years in hardware troubleshooting or sustaining engineering.
• Familiarity with hyperscaler server hardware (CPU, memory, storage) and cloud platforms.
• Strong debugging and soldering skills (micro miniature preferred).
• Knowledge of server architecture, networking (TCP/IP, DNS), and hardware interfaces.
• Experience with automation tools (Ansible, Puppet) and scripting (Python, Bash).
• Excellent documentation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities.
• Experienced in AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and Gemini.
• Experience with hyperscaler environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with server validation processes and performance tuning.
• Experience in product engineering is a plus.
• Understanding of compliance standards and ESD handling.
• Enjoys working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
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:
$134,800.00 - $202,200.00The 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.
Sample Qualcomm interview questions
- 1
Design a system for storing and serving images/videos.
system designmedium - 2
Design a video streaming architecture that handles varying network speeds.
system designmedium - 3
Design a Payment Gateway processing system.
system designmedium - 4
Design a Distributed Metrics Logging and Aggregation System.
system designmedium - 5
Design an autocomplete Typeahead Suggestion system.
system designmedium
Get started to unlock a personalized interview prep pack for this role.
Similar roles
Senior Manager, SourcingQualcomm · Santa Clara, CA · Onsite
Senior Manager, Public RelationsQualcomm · San Diego, CA · Onsite
Spacecraft Dynamics EngineerApex Technology · Los Angeles, CA · Onsite
Systems EngineerMind Robotics · Palo Alto, CA · Onsite- Sr. Functional Safety EngineersRivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies · Irvine, CA · Onsite
Electrical EngineerSeneca Polytechnic · Sausalito, CA · Onsite
