Sr Principal Application Engineer
Cadence Design Systems · San Jose, CA
About this role
Cadence Design Systems is hiring a senior-level Software Engineer based in San Jose, CA. The posting calls out experience with Python, Frontend Development, Backend Development. Compensation is listed at $123,200–$228,800 per year.
- Role
- Software Engineer
- Function
- software engineering
- Level
- senior
- Track
- Tech leadership
- Employment
- Full-time
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Posted
- Jun 24, 2026
Job description
from Cadence Design Systems careersAt Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
Hands-on work with Cadence customers in the areas of Backend Digital Design Implementation and Signoff including Synthesis, Place and Route, Design Closure, and timing/power signoff, RTL to GDSII.
Lead technical campaigns and strategies in the RTL to GDSII digital implementation space.
Aggressively push Power, Performance, and Area (PPA)
Deliver technical presentations and lead discussions internally and with customers.
Work closely with R&D to enhance the tools and methodologies to meet and exceed customer’s requirements with high quality.
Support execution on critical customer flagship product tape outs.
Amend and augment the flow as needed using Tcl and/or other programming skills to meet objectives and improve results/flows.
Job Requirements
Minimum
MS degree Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical, Engineering, or related field, plus 12+ years industry experience.
Strong knowledge in Digital Design Fundamentals, Semiconductor fundamentals, and Static Timing Analysis is required.
Prior experience with IC digital implementation flows and backend EDA tools including Synthesis, Place and Route, IR Drop, backend design timing and power closure, RTL to GDSII.
Experience in scripting in Perl/Tcl/Python to automate and implement process improvement is a must.
Floor planning and power planning for System-on-Chip (SoC) designs with low power
MS degree Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical, Engineering, or related field, plus 12+ years industry experience.
Prior experience with IC digital implementation flows and front-end EDA tools including Synthesis, DFT, and Logical Equivalence Checking
Good hands-on experience of Floorplanning, Place and Route, Timing analysis and Sign-off, preferable with CDNS tools suite
Advanced clock tree synthesis techniques including SoC Clock Distribution, Clock Mesh, H-Tree
Multiple design closure including Timing, DRC, LVS, and EMIR preferred.
Experience with advanced technology nodes including Sub 5nm and below.
Develop, debug, and optimize various aspects of design flows for SoC’s to achieve best Power, Performance and Area (PPA)
Strong customer-facing communication and problem-solving skills
Strong personal drive for continuous learning and expanding professional skillsets.
Strong verbal, written, and customer communication skills.
Prior experience with Cadence tools such as Genus, Innovus, Conformal, Tempus, Modus, and/or Voltus is highly desired.
The annual salary range for California is $123,200 to $228,800. 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.