Principal Design Engineer

Job Title

Principal Design Engineer

Role Summary

Implement and verify high-capacity hardware-assisted verification SoCs (Palladium and Protium), focusing on physical implementation, timing closure, and tape-out for complex SOCs. Work across RTL synthesis, floorplanning, clock-tree design, timing/IR closure, and physical verification while coordinating with front-end and back-end teams.

Experience Level

Senior — Principal-level role. Candidates typically have 7+ years of relevant SoC physical design and implementation experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Lead and mentor a team to implement SoCs or subsystem chips from RTL to tape-out.
• Perform RTL synthesis and floorplanning for large designs.
• Build and optimize clock trees and timing architectures.
• Close timing margins and manage IR drop; run physical verification flows.
• Prepare design reviews and tape-out documentation.
• Interface with front-end RTL design teams and back-end verification teams.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Hands-on experience with Cadence tools such as Innovus, Tempus, QRC, Voltus, and Pegasus.
• Practical experience at advanced process nodes (examples: 5nm, 3nm, 2nm).
• Proficiency with Linux servers and scripting (Shell, Perl, Tcl).
• Strong skills in RTL synthesis, floorplanning, clock-tree synthesis, timing closure, IR-drop analysis, and physical verification.
• Familiarity with industry-standard interfaces: PCI Express, DDR/LPDDR, SRAM, UCIe.
• Proven ability to lead complex SoC implementation projects and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Education Requirements

BS in Electrical Engineering with a minimum of 7 years' experience, OR MS with a minimum of 5 years' experience, OR PhD with a minimum of 1 year of experience (as specified in the posting).

About the Company

Company: Cadence Design Systems

Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA

Cadence Design Systems is a global electronic design automation company that provides software, hardware, and intellectual property for designing advanced semiconductor chips. With over 25 years in the industry, Cadence is known for its innovative technology solutions and has been recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. The company is dedicated to solving complex technical challenges in order to enable customers to create revolutionary products and experiences.