Qualcomm plans global job cuts starting in November after CEO memo
Qualcomm will begin global layoffs in November as the chipmaker shifts focus toward data-center markets and away from mobile handsets.
Layoffs · Source: Reuters
What happened
Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon sent an internal memo on Monday announcing global job cuts. The reductions will begin hitting staff worldwide in November. The memo followed annual employee reviews and framed the layoffs as a performance-focused reduction. Amon stated the goal is to build a stronger performance culture and address areas where the company has fallen short of expectations.
The exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. Reuters reported on the memo but could not determine the total scale of the upcoming cuts. Qualcomm had roughly 52,000 global employees at the end of fiscal 2025. The company has not yet issued a public statement or filed a disclosure confirming the size of the November round.
These new layoffs extend a pattern of rolling reductions pursued by Qualcomm throughout 2026. The chipmaker already booked 97 million dollars in restructuring and severance charges during the first nine months of the fiscal year. Earlier this year, workforce actions appeared as localized filings, including notices for about 105 jobs in the San Diego area back in April.
By the numbers
- November — When notifications to affected staff will begin
- 52,000 — Approximate global employee count at the end of fiscal 2025
- 97 million — Restructuring and severance charges in dollars booked in the first nine months of fiscal 2026
- 105 — San Diego-area jobs covered by WARN notices in April
Why it matters
While the internal memo focuses on employee performance, the broader context points to a major shift in company direction. Qualcomm recently reported that its fiscal third-quarter revenue dropped to 9.947 billion dollars from 10.365 billion dollars a year earlier. During a July earnings call, the company warned that revenue tied to Apple and the handset business would decline faster than previously expected.
To survive this drop in mobile revenue, Qualcomm is changing the type of work it prioritizes. Management argues that future growth will come from data-center and non-handset markets by fiscal 2027. The CEO memo explicitly noted that as the business expands, the required competencies and skills also change. This means the company is likely cutting roles tied to older mobile technologies to make room for new data-center initiatives.
Who this hits
Qualcomm employees worldwide
Staff across all global offices will receive notifications starting in November. The company has not specified which departments or regions will face the deepest cuts, but the focus on new competencies suggests a targeted approach.
Hardware and chip engineers
Engineers with skills in data-center chips may see new opportunities as the company shifts its focus to offset handset losses. Those tied to traditional mobile chips may face a tougher internal environment and potential job loss.
San Diego tech workers
Qualcomm is based in San Diego and previously cut local jobs in April. The local job market may see an influx of highly skilled candidates looking for work next month as the new notifications go out.
What to do this week
- Update your resume to highlight any experience with data-center technology or non-handset markets if you are applying for roles in the semiconductor industry.
- Prepare for increased competition in the hardware sector as affected Qualcomm employees begin entering the job market in November.
- Monitor local WARN filings if you live in tech hubs like San Diego to track exactly where specific job losses are happening and which skills are being phased out.
- Focus your job search on companies expanding into data-center infrastructure, as this is where the semiconductor industry expects future growth.
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My take
Companies often use performance reviews to mask strategic shifts. Qualcomm is cutting costs in its mobile division to fund a massive push into data centers. Watch where the business is going, not just the words used in the memo.