NEW DELHI — Semiconductor giant Qualcomm plans to begin cutting jobs worldwide in November as part of an effort to strengthen employee performance and align its workforce with evolving business priorities, according to a report published Tuesday.
The planned layoffs were outlined in an internal memo sent Monday by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, who emphasized the need to build a “stronger performance culture” and address employees who have “consistently fallen short of expectations,” Reuters reported.
The company has not disclosed how many positions will be eliminated.
Qualcomm employed approximately 52,000 people globally as of September 2025, with most working in full-time positions.
According to the memo, decisions about workforce reductions will take into account the company’s business priorities, organizational needs and employees’ skills and expertise.
“As we have expanded the business, so have the competencies and skills we require,” Amon told employees.
“We must have the right people in the right roles so they can perform at their best and the company can continue to succeed,” he added.
The restructuring comes as Qualcomm faces challenges from softer demand for consumer electronics, partly attributed to rising memory prices, while working to reduce its dependence on the smartphone market.
In its July earnings report, the chipmaker forecast quarterly profit below Wall Street expectations and warned that revenue from its business with Apple would decline faster than previously anticipated.
Despite those challenges, Qualcomm expects growth in its data center, automotive and other businesses outside the smartphone sector to more than compensate for the anticipated losses by fiscal 2027.
The company has been expanding its presence in emerging technology markets, including artificial intelligence-powered data centers and connected devices, as part of a broader diversification strategy.
Qualcomm has also projected that most of its chip revenue will come from businesses outside smartphones by fiscal 2027, reflecting its efforts to develop new sources of growth.
The planned workforce reductions represent another step in the company’s efforts to adjust its operations and employee capabilities to meet changing market demands.
Qualcomm shares fell 1.16% in premarket trading on the Nasdaq, reaching $171.52. (Source: IANS)
