FY26 Intern – Machine Learning Compiler & Performance Engineering Intern

Company:

Qualcomm Canada ULC

Job Area:

Interns Group, Interns Group > Interim Engineering Intern - Systems

Qualcomm Overview:

Qualcomm is a company of inventors that unlocked 5G ushering in an age of rapid acceleration in connectivity and new possibilities that will transform industries, create jobs, and enrich lives. But this is just the beginning. It takes inventive minds with diverse skills, backgrounds, and cultures to transform 5Gs potential into world-changing technologies and products. This is the Invention Age - and this is where you come in.

General Summary:

Headquartered in San Diego, Qualcomm has been driving innovation for over 40 years. From 5G to artificial intelligence (AI), IoT to automotive and extended reality applications, Qualcomm is inventing the technologies of an intelligently connected future. The company leads global wireless research and collaborates across the industry to turn cutting-edge ideas into commercial reality.

As an Intern on the Machine Learning Systems Team, you will collaborate with software and hardware performance architecture teams to enhance ML compilers for Qualcomm chips. The team works directly on production compilers targeting Qualcomm’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and shipping in the Qualcomm AI Runtime SDK backend. The team also develops and utilizes performance-driven simulation tools to analyze and design ML firmware, software, and hardware. This role offers a unique opportunity to strengthen both software and hardware skill sets, and offers the opportunity to get exposure and work with the latest SOTA ML models on the cutting edge of AI, including Llama,  QWEN, DeepSeek, GPT-OSS, etc.

A transcript is required. It does not need to be an official transcript, but does need to include currently enrolled courses.

Key Responsibilities:

• Neural Network Compilation: Compile neural networks to Qualcomm hardware, analyze performance, and prototype algorithms to improve compilers and/or hardware.
• Simulation Modeling: Develop simulation models using Python, C, and C++ to evaluate or project neural network performance on Qualcomm hardware.
• Performance Analysis: Run, debug, and analyze performance simulations. Recommend software and/or hardware enhancements to address bottlenecks in computing and memory hierarchy.
• Compiler Optimization: Improve Qualcomm’s compiler stack to ensure ML/AI models run faster and more efficiently on AI accelerators.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Python or C++
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and debugging skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of Python and/or C/C++
• Familiarity with object-oriented design principles
• Experience with software processes and remote machine development (e.g., git, CI/CD, remote workflow via SSH, Unix tools, clang, MSVC)
• Background in one or more of the following:
  • Machine learning APIs (PyTorch, ONNX, Tensorflow, etc.)
  • Convolutional neural networks
  • Large language models (LLMs)
  • AI accelerator architecture
• Knowledge of computer architecture, digital circuits and event-driven transactional models/simulators
• Experience with algorithms and data structures

Education Requirements:

• In study towards a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering Science, Computer Science, Engineering Physics or related field
• Eligible candidates must have a graduation date in December 2027 or later, including May or June 2028.
• For 16-month internships: must be available May 2026 - August 2027

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 [email protected] 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.

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.

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.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.