Senior Principal Software Engineer
Yesterday• San Jose, CA
At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Join our R&D team building next-gen Accelerated Verification IP (AVIP) and Virtual Bridge solutions for high-performance IO and memory coherence. You'll architect, implement, and productize PCIe Gen7 and CXL 2.0/3.x features across C++, UVM and virtualized system models that enable hardware, emulation, and hybrid platforms.
What you'll do
- Design and enhance PCIe/CXL AVIP (agents, monitors, scoreboards, sequencers, coverage, error injection).
- Develop Virtual Bridge components that connect virtual platforms/emulators/FW to RTL (traffic modeling, performance, debug).
- Own feature bring-up for CXL.io / CXL.cache / CXL.mem, IDE/security, RAS, switching/fabric (CXL 3.x).
- Deliver compliance and interoperability scenarios; drive customer escalations and cross-team integration.
What you'll need
- BS with a minimum of 10 years of experience OR MS with a minimum of 7 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 5 years of experience
- Experience with PCIe and/or CXL design/verification, deep protocol-layer knowledge (LTSSM, DLL/TLP, flow control, ordering).
- Proficiency in Verilog RTL design and debug
- Experience with emulation/acceleration or hybrid (virtual + RTL) flows; solid debug skills (waveforms, checkers, coverage).
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Nice to have
- PCIe Gen6/CXL 3.x fabric features (multi-level switching, global fabric attach, pooling).
- Performance modeling, QoS/traffic shaping; firmware/OS driver bring-up exposure; compliance tools.
The annual salary range for California is $154,000 to $286,000. 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.
We're doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can't.
Client-provided location(s): San Jose, CA
Job ID: Cadence-R53133
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Posted: 2026-03-15T18:45:12
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Fitness Subsidies
- On-Site Gym
- Mental Health Benefits
- Virtual Fitness Classes
- Health Insurance
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Stock Purchase Program
- Performance Bonus
- Financial Counseling
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Access to Online Courses
- Internship Program
- Leadership Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion