Sr. Principal Software Engineer, Physical Verification
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
- Build software that checks advanced semiconductor designs for physical verification
- Test, maintain, and document software so results stay accurate and dependable
- Work through mathematical and geometric problems involved in semiconductor verification
- Review code, join technical discussions, and help improve development processes
- Coordinate with colleagues across locations to deliver software results
What you bring
- A master’s degree in computer science or computer engineering, plus at least ten years of work experience
- Strong command of both C and C++
- You can solve difficult technical problems and communicate clearly with teams
Who this fits
This senior individual-contributor role suits an experienced engineer with physical verification or computational geometry expertise. You’ll work 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.
Position Overview
We are seeking a talented Software Engineer to join our Research & Development (R&D) group, focused on creating advanced software solutions for physical verification products at leading-edge semiconductor nodes. This role is essential to driving innovation in the development and validation of software used in the design and manufacturing of next-generation chips.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and implement robust software for physical verification of advanced semiconductor devices.
- Validate, maintain, and document software solutions to ensure reliability and accuracy.
- Solve complex mathematical and geometric challenges related to semiconductor verification.
- Collaborate with global team members to deliver high-quality results in a distributed environment.
- Contribute to technical discussions, code reviews, and process improvements.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering & 10+ years work experience
- Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming languages.
- Solid problem-solving skills and the ability to tackle technical challenges.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for collaboration across teams.
Desired Skills
- Exceptional math background, including the ability to address complex mathematical and geometric problems.
- Expert in Physical Verification domain or Computational Geometry
- Experience in developing software for engineering or scientific applications.
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to project requirements.
Work Environment
You will be part of an innovative, geographically distributed team dedicated to advancing the capabilities of physical verification software for semiconductor technology. The work environment encourages collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
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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