Paul E. Jacobs

Paul E. Jacobs is an American engineer and business executive renowned for his contributions to mobile communications and wireless technology. Born in 1962, he is the son of Irwin M. Jacobs, co-founder of Qualcomm Incorporated, and has held leadership roles at major telecommunications firms, including serving as CEO of Qualcomm from 2005 to 2014 and as CEO of Globalstar since 2023.

Jacobs earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed an early interest in coding and electronics influenced by his father's engineering background. He joined Qualcomm in 1990, rising through executive positions to become CEO in 2005, during which he oversaw the company's expansion in 3G and 4G technologies, LTE development, and smartphone chip innovations that propelled Qualcomm's growth amid competitive and legal challenges. Holding over 80 U.S. patents in wireless technologies, Jacobs has been a key architect of advancements like carrier aggregation, small cells, and mobile health applications aimed at reducing healthcare costs.