Position Overview
The Director of System Engineering & Integration leads the definition, architecture, and execution of end-to-end system integration across silicon, hardware, firmware, network and software for complex emulator platforms.
This role owns the integration strategy, system bring-up, and verification required to deliver production-ready systems, while driving alignment across globally distributed, cross-functional teams.
Leadership & Organizational Excellence
- Build and lead global engineering teams responsible for system integration and validation.
- Drive execution excellence, organizational scaling, and talent development.
- Foster strong collaboration across hardware, firmware, software, ASIC, and operations teams.
System Architecture & Integration Strategy
- Define the system integration architecture and technical strategy across ASIC, hardware, firmware, FPGA, and system software.
- Establish design-for-integration principles, interface contracts, and integration readiness criteria.
- Guide cross-functional technical decisions across interconnects, embedded systems, and system infrastructure.
System Integration, Bring-up & Validation
- Own end-to-end integration and bring-up of multi-subsystem platforms.
- Define and drive system-level validation and verification strategies, including performance and stress testing.
- Lead resolution of complex cross-layer issues across hardware and software.
Methodology, Tooling & Infrastructure
- Establish scalable validation infrastructure, automation frameworks, and test environments.
- Drive standardization and reuse of system-level test methodologies.
Execution & Product Delivery
- Own system readiness from bring-up to production release, ensuring performance and reliability targets.
- Partner with engineering and product leadership to ensure predictable delivery.
Qualifications
- Deep expertise in system engineering across silicon, hardware, firmware, drivers, OS and software.
- Experience in integrating and delivering complex multi-interface systems.
- Knowledge of large computing rack system architecture.
- Proven system-level debugging capability and complex system issue root cause resolutions.
- Experience leading global, cross-functional engineering teams.
- Deep experience with interconnect technologies like Ethernet, RoCE / UEC, DDRx, PCIe.
Education:
- BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldwith a minimum of 12 years of experience OR MS with a minimum of 10 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 8 years of experience
- Masters / advanced degree in related field preferred.
Preferred Skills
- Communication infrastructures such as PCIe, Infiniband, and distributed Ethernet network setups.
- Distro-independent full spectrum of Linux in kernel space and user space in both server and embedded system, including system administration.
- Distributed computing with high-availability and scalability.
- System virtualization and containerization and real-world applications.
Impact
Drives successful integration and delivery of complex emulator systems, ensuring seamless interaction across hardware, firmware, network, and software while shaping system engineering practices at scale.
The annual salary range for California is $178,500 to $331,500. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.Skills Required
- Deep expertise in system engineering across silicon, hardware, firmware, drivers, OS and software.
- Experience in integrating and delivering complex multi-interface systems.
- Knowledge of large computing rack system architecture.
- Proven system-level debugging capability and complex system issue root cause resolution.
- Experience leading global, cross-functional engineering teams.
- Deep experience with interconnect technologies like Ethernet, RoCE / UEC, DDRx, PCIe.
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with minimum 12 years experience OR MS with minimum 10 years OR PhD with minimum 8 years.
- Knowledge/experience with PCIe, Infiniband, distributed Ethernet network setups (preferred).
- Distro-independent Linux expertise in kernel and user space and system administration (preferred).
- Experience with distributed computing, high-availability, scalability (preferred).
- Experience with system virtualization and containerization and real-world applications (preferred).
Cadence Design Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cadence Design Systems and has not been reviewed or approved by Cadence Design Systems.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — A discounted ESPP with a lookback feature and equity included in total compensation make ownership broadly accessible and potentially meaningful. Structured compensation at an industry leader adds predictability to equity participation.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage are described as solid, with mental‑health/EAP and fertility support enhancing the offering. The breadth across core care and family‑building needs strengthens the healthcare package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Global Recharge Days, volunteer time off, and companywide breaks indicate a comprehensive time‑off framework. In addition, many salaried roles are described as having flexible or generous PTO policies.
Cadence Design Systems Insights
What We Do
Cadence enables electronic systems and semiconductor companies to create the innovative end products that are transforming the way people live, work and play. Cadence® software, hardware and IP are used by customers to deliver products to market faster. The company's Intelligent System Design strategy helps customers develop differentiated products—from chips to boards to intelligent systems—in mobile, consumer, cloud, data center, automotive, aerospace, IoT, industrial and other market segments. Cadence is listed as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For.
