Cadence is the leader in hardware emulation-acceleration technologies and products. As a Physical Design Senior Principal Hardware Engineer, you will drive solutions for complex designs from synthesis to GDS through tape-out. You are knowledgeable about floorplan, clock construction, placement, routing, and signoff closure activities such as timing analysis, physical verification, and IR/EM. You have exceptional communication skills and can collaborate with partner RTL, DFT, and Architecture teams. As a principal engineer, you will contribute to further developing our tools and flows to improve design quality and execution. This position is located in our US offices (San Jose, CA or Raleigh, NC).
Our emulation-acceleration system platform is the most advanced industry-leading configurable scalable system, generation after generation, used in labs and datacenters. At the heart of these systems are a multitude of interconnected highly complex high-performance computing (HPC) devices based on a proprietary Boolean processor architecture. This is a role in the core technology team.
Key Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities Senior Principal Hardware Engineer include:
- Drive solutions in logic synthesis, floorplan, place and route (PNR), clock construction
- Provide continuous improvement to existing tools, flows, and methodologies
- Optimize power, performance, and area to meet design requirements
- Experience with advanced process nodes and technologies
- Collaborate closely with cross functional teams to ensure proper design execution
- Work with R&D teams to improve Cadence’s suite of tools
- Close designs adhering to timing, power, IR/EM, and foundry specifications
Qualifications
- BS with a minimum of 10 years of experience OR MS with a minimum of 7 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 5 years of experience
- Successfully owned and driven blocks/SoCs to tape-out
- Comfortable in the latest advanced technology nodes
- Experience in at least one scripting language like PERL, Python, TCL, or Shell is preferred
- Self-motivated, team player with strong problem-solving skills to collaborate with teams to deliver results
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- BS/MS with 8-15+ years of relevant hands-on experience in physical design
The annual salary range for California is $136,500 to $253,500. 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
- BS with minimum 10 years OR MS with minimum 7 years OR PhD with minimum 5 years
- Successfully owned and driven blocks/SoCs to tape-out
- Experience with floorplanning, clock construction, placement, routing, timing analysis, physical verification, and IR/EM signoff
- Comfortable with advanced process nodes and foundry specifications
- Experience with at least one scripting language (PERL, Python, TCL, Shell)
- BS/MS with 8-15+ years of relevant hands-on experience in physical design
- Excellent written and verbal communication and collaboration skills
- Self-motivated team player with strong problem-solving skills
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.
