IT Infrastructure Architect (M&A)

Cadence Design Systems; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadence Design Systems is seeking a seasoned Infrastructure Architect with deep on-premise expertise to support M&A initiatives. You will lead due diligence, design integration plans, and drive consolidation across Windows, Linux/Unix, VMware and storage environments.

You will mentor teams, coordinate with IT, security, legal and business units, and communicate progress to executives, ensuring minimal downtime and robust security throughout transitions.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of IT infrastructure experience.
• Proven experience in infrastructure integration during M&A.
• Strong systems engineering, networking, and cybersecurity expertise.
• Hands-on with Windows Server, Linux/Unix, virtualization, and storage.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead infrastructure due diligence during M&A assessments, identifying risks, gaps, and integration opportunities.
• Design and execute infrastructure integration plans for acquired entities, including data center consolidation, network integration, and systems alignment.
• Collaborate with business teams to align infrastructure strategy with M&A timelines and compliance requirements.
• Architect enterprise-grade server environments (Windows Server, Linux, Unix, VMware, Nutanix).
• Plan and execute system migrations, consolidations, and upgrades with minimal downtime.
• Design and implement network integration strategies with networking SMEs including IP schema alignment, firewall rule harmonization, and secure interconnectivity.
• Ensure network performance, redundancy, and security during transitional phases.
• Integrate security controls across merged infrastructures, ensuring unified policies and standards.
• Maintain detailed documentation of architecture, integration plans, and operational procedures.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including IT, security, legal, and business units to ensure successful M&A execution.
• Lead infrastructure teams through integration projects and mentor junior engineers.
• Communicate effectively with executive stakeholders and provide regular updates on progress and risks.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Documentation

Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

VMware

Nutanix

SAN/NAS storage

Backup solutions

Job description

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

Job Summary: We are seeking a seasoned Infrastructure Architect with deep expertise in on-premise infrastructure to support mergers and acquisitions (M&A) initiatives. This role demands strong technical leadership in integrating, consolidating, and optimizing infrastructure across diverse environments, ensuring seamless transitions and minimal business disruption.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead infrastructure due diligence during M&A assessments, identifying risks, gaps, and integration opportunities.
• Design and execute infrastructure integration plans for acquired entities, including data center consolidation, network integration, and systems alignment.
• Collaborate with business teams to align infrastructure strategy with M&A timelines and compliance requirements.
• Architect enterprise-grade server environments (Windows Server, Linux, Unix, VMWare, Nutanix).
• Plan and execute system migrations, consolidations, and upgrades with minimal downtime.
• Design and implement network integration strategies with networking SME’s including IP schema alignment, firewall rule harmonization, and secure interconnectivity.
• Ensure network performance, redundancy, and security during transitional phases.
• Integrate security controls across merged infrastructures, ensuring unified policies and standards.
• Maintain detailed documentation of architecture, integration plans, and operational procedures.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including IT, security, legal, and business units to ensure successful M&A execution.
• Lead infrastructure teams through integration projects and mentor junior engineers.
• Communicate effectively with executive stakeholders and provide regular updates on progress and risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering.
• At least 12+ years of relevant experience in IT infrastructure.
• Proven experience in infrastructure integration during M&A activities.
• Strong expertise in systems engineering, networking, and cybersecurity.
• Hands‑on experience with systems, network, virtualization, storage (SAN/NAS), and backup solutions.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.

Salary and Incentives

The annual salary range for California is $133,000 to $247,000. 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Additional Jobs Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Cadence is committed to equal employment opportunity throughout all levels of the organization.

Cadence is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other protected class.

E-Verify

E-Verify Cadence participates in the E-Verify program in certain U.S. locations as required by law.

About Cadence

Cadence plays a critical role in creating the technologies that modern life depends on. We are a global electronic design automation company, providing software, hardware, and intellectual property to design advanced semiconductor chips that enable our customers to create revolutionary products and experiences. Thanks to the outstanding caliber of the Cadence team and the empowering culture that we have cultivated for over 25 years, Cadence continues to be recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Our shared passion for solving the world’s toughest technical challenges, our dedication to pushing the limits of the industry, and our drive to do meaningful work differentiates the people of Cadence. Cadence is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other protected class.