Senior Software CAD Engineer

Job Title

Senior Software CAD Engineer

Role Summary

Develop and maintain Python-based automation and infrastructure for RTL-to-GDSII design flows and RTL quality checks as part of the Global CAD team in Cork. Work with design, verification, CAD and infrastructure teams to increase automation, reliability, visibility, and productivity across SoC RTL development.

The role focuses on tooling for run configuration, execution, monitoring, debugging, reporting and quality closure across complex SoC environments.

Experience Level

Senior. The posting indicates candidates typically have prior ASIC/design-related experience; production-quality Python experience (multi-year) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities are building and operating automation and quality-check tooling for RTL development and supporting project execution.

• Design, implement and maintain Python-based tools for design automation and RTL quality checks.
• Build automation for configuring, launching, monitoring, debugging, and reporting design flow results.
• Support RTL quality checks such as clock-domain crossing, reset-domain crossing, low-power verification, synthesis readiness, lint, and design rule checking.
• Improve infrastructure for configuration management, run setup, result tracking, waiver handling, reporting, and dashboards.
• Debug issues across software infrastructure, generated scripts, configuration files, design inputs, and EDA tool execution.
• Collaborate with design, verification, CAD, and infrastructure teams to support project execution and achieve design quality closure.
• Improve code quality, test coverage, documentation, error handling, and developer workflows.
• Develop unit and integration tests for automation scripts and flow infrastructure.
• Identify and drive improvements to methodology, QA processes, execution environments, and user support models.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and relevant experience; preferred items listed separately.

• Must-have: Strong Python skills and experience developing automation or command-line tools used by engineering teams.
• Experience with Linux and debugging complex software, infrastructure, or automation issues.
• Experience with Git-based development, unit and integration testing, and standard software engineering practices (code review, testing, maintainability, documentation).
• Experience handling YAML/JSON configuration and validation.
• Ability to collaborate across design, verification, CAD, and infrastructure teams to support project schedules and quality closure.
• Nice-to-have: Familiarity with pytest, mypy, black, isort or similar tools; knowledge of Perl, Tcl/tcsh, Makefiles, C++, Verilog/SystemVerilog; experience integrating tools with dashboards, databases, reporting systems or compute infrastructure; experience developing production-quality Python (3+ years preferred).

Education Requirements

One of the following is expected: Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering or a related field plus ~2+ years of ASIC design/verification/validation/integration experience; OR Master's degree in Science, Engineering or related field plus ~1+ year of ASIC design/verification/validation/integration experience; OR PhD in Science, Engineering or related field. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

About the Company

Company: Qualcomm

Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States

Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.