Senior Principal Software Engineer
Cadence Open · verified Oct 24, 2026 At a glance
Senior Engineering Leadership role at Cadence. San Jose · full-time · $161,000–$299,000 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Extend Xcelium’s RTL and logic simulation engine with new capabilities and improvements to existing functions
- Develop and improve timing-constraint verification within Xcelium, including graph algorithms for SDC constraints at massive scale
- Analyze bottlenecks and tune C/C++ code to reduce compilation time and memory use
- Write code specifications and unit tests, then coordinate delivery with teammates across locations
What you bring
- A relevant master’s degree plus at least seven years of experience, or a PhD plus at least five years
- At least five years developing EDA software, with strong grounding in RTL or logic simulation, SDC constraints and timing analysis
- Strong C/C++ skills, knowledge of SystemVerilog or Verilog, and experience with concurrent programming
Who this fits
This senior engineering role suits someone who has built EDA software and can work on simulation, timing constraints and performance at scale. You’ll collaborate with a geographically distributed team.
From the employer
At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Join the team behind Xcelium, the industry-leading logic simulator, to architect the next generation of hardware verification technology. As a Senior Engineer in the System Verification Group, you will be at the forefront of EDA innovation, evolving the Xcelium simulator to meet the staggering complexity of future AI and hyperscale chip designs. You will be part of an innovative, geographically distributed team dedicated to advancing the capabilities of RTL/logic simulation for semiconductor technology. The work environment encourages collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
We are looking for an experienced C/C++ software engineer to join the Xcelium Software Development Team to develop and enhance RTL/logic simulation products.
Responsibilities:
- Enhance and support Xcelium RTL/logic simulator engine to add new features and extend existing features.
- Enhance and support Timing Constraints Verification technology used inside Xcelium simulator.
- The role involves designing, tuning, and innovating graph algorithms involving SDC constraints support on multi‑billion‑node graphs.
- Conduct deep-dive bottleneck analysis and implement performance optimizations in C/C++ to improve compilation speed and memory footprint.
- Collaborate with global team members to deliver high-quality results in a distributed environment.
- Write Specifications and Unit Tests for your code.
Position Requirements/Qualifications:
- MS/PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering.
MS in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering with a minimum of 7 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 5 years of experience
- 5+ years of experience in EDA software development.
- Strong background in RTL/Logic Simulation, SDC constraints and Timing Analysis especially path exceptions handling in a STA tool.
- Excellent programming skills in C/C++ and a deep understanding of SystemVerilog or Verilog.
- Experience in multi-threaded/ concurrent programming.
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to project requirements.
- Prior experience with RTL/logic simulation software development is an added plus.
The annual salary range for California is $161,000 to $299,000. 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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