Qualcomm plans global layoffs amid market pressure and AI shift
Qualcomm will begin global job cuts in November, citing performance reviews, though market pressures and a shift to AI are driving factors.
Layoffs · Source: Reuters (via LA Post syndication)
What happened
Qualcomm will cut jobs globally starting in November. CEO Cristiano Amon announced the cuts in an internal memo on Monday. He called it a performance-focused reduction tied to annual employee reviews. The memo stated the goal is to build a stronger performance culture and address areas where the company has fallen short of expectations. The company has not confirmed exactly how many of its 52,000 global employees will lose their jobs.
Industry estimates suggest 600 to 1,200 jobs could be cut in India alone. This would represent about three to six percent of the local workforce of roughly 20,000 employees. Qualcomm has not officially confirmed these numbers or specified which departments will be affected. The company operates major engineering centers in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where teams work on chip design, embedded software, and wireless communications.
The layoffs come as Qualcomm faces a difficult business environment. The company has been hit by a slump in consumer electronics sales and rising memory prices. Its stock rose just 1.5 percent in 2026, while the broader semiconductor index jumped nearly 60 percent. Furthermore, Apple is moving away from Qualcomm products faster than expected. To adapt, Qualcomm is shifting its focus toward the fast-growing artificial intelligence and data-center markets.
By the numbers
- 52,000 — Global employees at Qualcomm as of September last year.
- 1.5% — Qualcomm's stock growth in 2026, compared to a 60% rise in the semiconductor index.
- 600 to 1,200 — Estimated number of jobs at risk in India, though unconfirmed by Qualcomm.
- November 2026 — When employees will begin receiving layoff notifications.
Why it matters
Job seekers in the semiconductor and hardware spaces will face more competition as Qualcomm employees enter the market. The company expects its non-smartphone businesses to drive the majority of chip sales by fiscal 2027. This means hiring budgets will likely concentrate on specialized artificial intelligence, automotive technology, and advanced computing roles rather than traditional mobile hardware. Workers without these updated skills may find fewer open roles.
The framing of these cuts as performance-based adds a layer of stress for workers, especially those on visas like the H-1B. When companies label layoffs as performance issues rather than structural cuts, it can complicate severance negotiations and create anxiety around future reference checks. Additionally, the broader trend of tech companies restructuring to fund artificial intelligence investments shows that even stable sectors are actively cutting legacy roles to fund new priorities.
Who this hits
Hardware and mobile engineers
Professionals focused on smartphone chips and traditional wireless communications face a shrinking job pool at Qualcomm. The company is actively pivoting away from consumer electronics as demand weakens.
AI and data science professionals
This group remains in high demand despite the overall layoffs. Qualcomm is actively expanding its footprint in artificial intelligence, data-center computing, and automotive technology.
Tech workers in India
Employees in Hyderabad and Bengaluru face uncertainty as industry estimates warn of up to 1,200 potential job cuts. However, the exact impact on these specific engineering and software teams remains unconfirmed by the company.
H-1B and OPT visa holders
Immigrant workers face tight timelines if selected for the November cuts. The performance-based label may also add friction when explaining the job loss to future employers during interviews.
What to do this week
- Update your resume to highlight any hands-on experience with artificial intelligence, data centers, or automation, as these are the primary growth areas companies are funding right now.
- Prepare for a potentially longer job search if your background is strictly in smartphone or consumer electronics hardware, and consider upskilling into adjacent fields.
- If you are on an H-1B visa at Qualcomm, consult with an immigration attorney now to review your options for a change of status before the November notifications begin.
- Network aggressively within your local tech hubs, especially if you are based in affected regions like Bengaluru or Hyderabad, to uncover unlisted roles.
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My take
Companies often use performance reviews to mask layoffs that are actually driven by market pressure. Qualcomm's stock is lagging far behind its peers, and smartphone sales are down, which explains these cuts much better than sudden employee underperformance. I recommend staying focused on building skills in artificial intelligence and data centers, because that is clearly where the budget is moving.