Thread regarding Qualcomm Inc. layoffs

Those colleagues of yours telling you that it is 'bad path', do you think they spend the time to probe the hardware, examine their electrical behavior, ask technical questions to themselves or others, read books, papers, articles to keep themselves up to date - or are they simply writing a test code and then pushing a button. If the latter, then yes, it is a 'bad path' but not because the opportunity to learn new skills does not exist.
There are some engineers in the PMIC VI team who do the former. Seek them out, talk to them and see if you can get them to be your mentor.
A lot of engineers have cut their teeth at the bench and picked up real world engineering skills.

Qualcomm systems do not provide you with transferrable skill sets. Don't sit there and let your brain rot, skill up and get out.

• Former PMIC tester

The hardware systems team is a strong group, probably the most technically, pivot there if you can. You can learn so much there and they are a pleasure to work with, led by a genuinely good guy. Unfortunately, they're consistently overlooked for promotions. It is just the way the cookie crumbles when the lead does not play dirty.

The work is engaging and presents ongoing challenges. While the career path may become repetitive over time, this is common in many fields. If you are in PTE, the team is supportive and collaborative, but the Senior Director isn’t the strongest leader and tends to focus more on keeping upper management happy. That said, he’s a great engineer. The previous directors were much stronger in leadership.

Don’t rest and rust.. QCOM DNA does not treat test people with respect, so move to dev role when you can.

IMHO, use your own judgement. Stay there long enough to gain some skills and knowledge about the device. Once you feel it's time to try something else, do so. Don't stay in a position that your becoming bored with.

FWIW, I have heard PMIC VI is a group with strange dynamics. For that matter, qcom has a lot of strange people.

Usually testing can be done remotely so there’s a risk to be outsourced to India at some point ; also at some AI will take over automated testing

My suggestion is: Do not let your Qualcomm superiors d-mb you down and pigeonhole you into a job that is beneath your skills and has no room for advancement.

"Pigeonhole" is a metaphor that means to unfairly categorize or limit someone or something. For example, you might pigeonhole someone as having a particular skill or belonging to a specific group.

Update your resume and post it on the website of companies that you consider your dream job. Also update your Linkedin profile and start networking with people who are doing the job you wish you were doing.

What are the strange dynamic? Can you please elaborate.