I have been looking around for a backup department to transfer to when things get sour in my department. I have one connection in power management IC group and it seems their work is very low skill stuff. Engineers there are just glorified technicians or excel/ppt warriors per his observation.
I would like to hear from larger audience with experience in that team. I just got feedback from one data point.
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I knew a guy from PMIC team. He said margins are high and that generally keeps the team safe from layoffs.
Yeah, it is lab bi--h, Outlook warrior work. Welcome to Qualcomm... everyone outside of chip design is a lab bi--h or an Outlook warrior. QCOM is a stagnant company recycling the same SoCs every 6 months.
Is it a good career move - no. But I don't think Qualcomm is really a good career move.
There are still some good pockets. Avoid VI, they are glorified test monkeys. Avoid system roles which are glorified paper pusher or fancy slides yakkers. Ain't no good for personal growth. System roles focusing on overall chipset power are good, roles with close collaboration with chip designers are good, the hardware team is great for young engineers, cool guys there, sets ya up for opportunities outside the company in a few years. Hope this helps.
You will be unhirable if you spent years in pmic team. Trust me.
When you are selected to be let go, you probably will not find another backup somewhere else. You need to look outside.
Very low rung work technically and you will be treated as such. I really think people who work there couldn't find anywhere else to go due to their lack of technical skills. You literally work with the most incompetent and sick leads, managers, directors and VP's in the whole company. I'd rather leave the beautiful San Diego than working in that department.
Mostly toxic culture. Most managers are technically incompetent. VI is just test monkeys. A small pocket of system is decent. The tiny hardware team is da only beacon of hope.
if you are telu goo, you will be fine, else RUN
One word "RUN"
I used to work there until couple years ago before switching teams. I was targeted by some manager with psychological issues even though I never worked with him. He was buddy with the VP, so basically couldn't hold accountable for his actions. This is just one example of many.
As someone mentioned, very toxic management gang there.
good place to be to get riffed next time.
Isnt the pmic team most notorious for its rotten management here???