Interview Type: On-Campus

Result: Selected

Difficulty: Medium

College: IIT Kharagpur

Interview Date: Nov 2024

Number of Rounds: 3

Topics Asked: Digital VLSI, CMOS fundamentals, CMOS power dissipation, CMOS performance parameters, Static Timing Analysis (setup/hold time), FIFO concepts, critical path analysis, computer architecture

The Qualcomm selection process began with an online MCQ-based test covering Digital VLSI, Digital Electronics, Computer Architecture, Programming, and Data Structures. Candidates shortlisted through the test were invited for interviews. The interview process consisted of two technical rounds followed by an HR round. In the first technical round, the interviewer focused primarily on CMOS concepts, including CMOS operation, different sources of power dissipation, and key performance parameters. Several questions were also asked on Static Timing Analysis, particularly setup time, hold time, and related timing concepts. The second technical round was more team-oriented and tested practical understanding of hardware systems. Questions included comparisons between laptop and desktop PC performance, a puzzle based on FIFO behavior, critical path analysis in digital circuits, and general digital design concepts. The interviewer also asked some high-level questions about AI processors to assess awareness of current hardware trends. The discussions were largely conceptual and required strong fundamentals rather than lengthy calculations. The final HR round focused on general interaction and candidate fitment. Overall, a solid understanding of digital electronics, VLSI fundamentals, timing analysis, and computer architecture was sufficient to perform well in the interviews.