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Senior Director, Central Engineering – SoC Design & Modeling Methodologies

Renesas Electronics renesas.com Open
On-site San Jose Full-time Director Engineering Leadership

At a glance

Director-level Engineering Leadership role at Renesas Electronics. San Jose · full-time · $275,500–$344,500 base.

SalaryStated by Renesas Electronics
$275,500 – $344,500
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from Renesas ElectronicsOur estimate for the market: $247,008–$312,331Median $264,375
Above the market median of $264,375 for lead engineering leadership roles in San Jose.
Worked out from 12 postings that stated pay, median $264,375. Last updated Nov 5, 2026.
RoleEngineering Leadership
SeniorityDirector
LocationSan Jose
WorkplaceOn-site
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$275,500–$344,500
PostedOct 28, 2026
Role brief

techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Set the company-wide direction for workload and performance analysis across IP and product development
  • Guide performance reviews for complex IP, SoCs and subsystems, including architecture decisions
  • Create shared practices for hardware/software co-design and model-based development
  • Lead teams across architecture, design, verification, emulation and software, and define AI workload needs

What you bring

  • An MS or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or another related technical field
  • At least fifteen years in semiconductor or SoC development, including eight years in technical leadership
  • A record leading workload and performance analysis alongside hardware/software optimization
  • Hands-on background with performance benchmarks, virtual platforms, SoC modeling and design automation

Who this fits

This director-level role suits a technical leader who can guide engineering teams and mentor senior technical staff. The job is onsite in San Jose. U.S. export-control rules may require a government license before certain people can access the technology.

From the employer

This position will serve as the leader of workload and performance analysis, hardware/software (HW/SW) optimization and co-design (including AI workloads), and SoC architecture. Expertise in architecture, design, validation, HW/SW optimization, and co-design is required. Experience in platform design and translating customer-facing requirements into system-level requirements is highly desirable.

The role encompasses workload characterization, solution integration, performance and power tradeoffs, the development of advanced SoC architecture, modeling methodologies, and design enablement strategies across multiple product lines.

The ideal candidate is a recognized technical leader with deep expertise in workload and performance analysis, AI workloads, HW/SW co-design, and SoC architecture. You will partner with product groups, platform teams, and executive leadership to define and analyze products and SoCs for performance and workload analysis, and help co-optimize using next-generation design methodologies that accelerate innovation and enable reuse across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

  • Define and drive the strategic roadmap for workload analysis and performance for both IPs and products across the company.

  • Lead architecture performance reviews and technical direction for complex IP/SoC and subsystem developments.

  • Establish best practices for hardware/software co-design and model-based development.

  • Provide technical leadership for cross-functional teams spanning architecture, design, verification, emulation, and software.

AI-Driven Engineering Innovation

  • Define and analyze AI workloads and the performance required for these workloads.

Organizational Leadership

  • Build and lead high-performing engineering teams.

  • Mentor directors, principal engineers, and distinguished engineers.

  • Foster collaboration across Central Engineering, Product Groups, and external partners.

  • Influence long-term semiconductor technology and platform strategy.

Education

  • MS or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline (Ph.D. highly desired).

Experience

  • 15+ years of experience in semiconductor or SoC development.

  • 8+ years of technical leadership experience.

  • Proven experience leading performance and workload analysis and HW/SW co-optimization.

Technical Skills

  • Strong understanding of:

    • Performance analysis

    • Workload analysis

    • AI workloads

    • SoC architecture and integration

    • Digital design methodologies

    • IP and subsystem development

    • Hardware/software co-design

    • SoC verification methodologies

  • Hands-on experience with:

    • Performance and workload benchmarking

    • Virtual platforms and executable specifications

    • SoC performance modeling

    • Design and verification automation flows

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier. With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.

At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.

We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.

Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.

Renesas Electronics deals with dual-use technology that is subject to U.S. export controls regulations. Under these regulations it may be necessary for Renesas to obtain U.S. government export license prior to release of technology to certain persons. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at the sole discretion of Renesas.

Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Engineering Leadership$270k+

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Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.