Sr. Principal Software Engineer

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.

Cadence Design Systems is looking for a highly motivated hardware engineer to work with the Modus R&D engineering team in the Design-For-Test (DFT) IP business unit.

As a member of the DFT R&D team, you will design and implement advanced Design-for-Test (DFT) hardware, test fabrics, and on-chip test networks used in next-generation SoCs. You will contribute to the hardware and software development of industry-leading test solutions such as scan compression, hierarchical test access architectures, Logic Built-In-Self-Test (LBIST), Memory Built-In-Self-Test (MBIST) , Power-On-Self-Test (POST), and In-System Test (IST). Your work will directly support high-coverage, low-cost test strategies across complex semiconductor designs.

Required Skills

• RTL Design & Verification
  • Strong background in Verilog/SystemVerilog RTL for digital hardware design and simulation
  • Hands-on coding and automation skills using SystemVerilog/Verilog, plus scripting with Perl and Python
  • Mastery of UVM and directed testbench IP verification, including test planning, coverage closure, debug, and working with verification teams to drive quality
  • Knowledge of network structures and method for communicating data across an SoC
• Full-Flow Development & Integration
  • Proven experience developing complex reusable IPs from architecture through delivery
  • Strong experience with synthesis, lint, CDC/RDC, formal checks, timing closure, physical design, and signoff workflows
  • Ability to manage internal and third-party/services IP integrations, including requirements review, interface alignment, quality checks, and delivery tracking
  • Ability to debug complex hardware issues across RTL, verification, synthesis, timing, and integration environments
  • Strong documentation skills for architecture specs, design specs, integration guides, and verification collateral
• DFT Architecture
  • Deep understanding of digital design architecture, including subsystem integration, DFT, interconnects, memory-mapped interfaces, reset/clock architecture, and low-power design considerations
  • Strong knowledge of DFT requirements for SoCs, including scan, MBIST, LBIST, POST, IST, IJTAG, test access architecture, and design-for-testability tradeoffs
  • Knowledge of DFT IP concepts, hardware, and test network communication
• Project Ownership & Team Communication
  • Experience leading design reviews, architecture reviews, microarchitecture reviews, and implementation readiness reviews
  • Strong project execution and project management skills, including planning, dependency tracking, risk management, milestone ownership, and cross-functional coordination
  • Ability to mentor senior and junior engineers and provide technical leadership across teams
  • Good communication skills with a development team spread across multiple locations
  • Prior experience with large software development projects is highly recommended

Preferred Skills

• Experience with ISO 26262 functional safety concepts, including safety mechanisms, diagnostic coverage, safety requirements, and ASIL-oriented design flows
• Exposure to security-aware hardware design, including secure boot concepts, access control, lifecycle management, key handling, or secure debug
• Experience with automotive, industrial, AI, or hyperscaler-class IP development
• Familiarity with Cadence flows such as Xcelium, JasperGold, Genus, Innovus, Tempus, Modus, and related signoff/debug environments
• Experience driving IP maturity through reusable methodology, quality metrics, and scalable infrastructure

The annual salary range for California is $196,000 to $364,000. 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.

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