Sales Director

Cognichip, Inc.; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognichip, Inc. in Redwood City is seeking a Sales Director who will lead strategic enterprise sales of AI-enabled semiconductor design software.

You will drive multi-million deals, build executive relationships with CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and R&D leaders, and shape the market adoption of our cutting-edge solutions. You’ll partner with Product and Engineering to craft ROI-driven value propositions, manage complex sales cycles, and lead cross-functional teams through PoCs, demonstrations, and

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years selling complex, high-value software to semiconductors or AI industries.
• Strength in building relationships with CTOs, VPs of Engineering, and R&D leaders.
• Engineering degree or equivalent technical background is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Drive enterprise sales cycles from qualification to close.
• Penetrate ideal accounts in the semiconductor space with senior decision-makers.
• Lead pre-sales with engineering for PoCs and demos.
• Forecast accurately and manage the sales pipeline.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to align ROI and roadmaps.

Skills

Enterprise sales

Complex solution selling

Technical acumen

C-suite relationship building

CRM analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Why this matters

AI is sparking a generational shift in semiconductor design, and pioneering sales leadership is critical to driving this evolution. At Cognichip, you won’t just sell software; you’ll lead the market adoption of cutting-edge AI technology that accelerates silicon innovation globally. This is a generational opportunity to defi ne and close high-value deals that sit at the intersection of deep tech and real-world impact for one of the world’s most impactful industries.

Job Title

Sales Director

Job Description

About the job

Why this matters

AI is sparking a generational shift in semiconductor design, and pioneering sales leadership is critical to driving this evolution. At Cognichip, you won’t just sell software; you’ll lead the market adoption of cutting-edge AI technology that accelerates silicon innovation globally. This is a generational opportunity to defi ne and close high-value deals that sit at the intersection of deep tech and real-world impact for one of the world’s most impactful industries.

Who You Are

• You are an exceptional, technically profi cient professional at the intersection of AI, semiconductors, and enterprise sales.
• You are a dynamic, self-motivated leader who can cultivate strategic relationships with C‑suite executives and R&D leaders at major semiconductor companies.
• You’re passionate about evangelizing the value of AI in chip design and possess a proven ability to lead and close complex, multi‑million dollar software deals.
• You thrive in cross‑functional teams and communication comes naturally to you, effortlessly translating deep technical concepts into compelling business value.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Strategic Account Penetration: Identify, prioritize, and penetrate ideal‑fit accounts within the semiconductor industry, leveraging existing relationships with key decision-makers (CTOs, VPs of Engineering, R&D Directors).
• Define & Deliver Complex Solution Selling: Lead the entire enterprise sales cycle, which often involves long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders, from initial qualification to negotiation and deal closure.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership (Technical Consultation & PoCs): Act as a trusted advisor in the AI and chip design space, guiding customers through their AI adoption journey. Collaborate with pre‑sales engineering teams to manage technical demonstrations and successful proof‑of‑concepts (PoCs).
• Establish & Analyze Metrics for Success (Pipeline Management): Drive disciplined pipeline management, provide accurate sales forecasts to executive leadership, and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Champion AI Innovation (Value Proposition & ROI Crafting): Articulate the comprehensive technical and business value of our AI solutions, co‑building strong ROI cases that address core client pain points like time‑to‑market acceleration and cost reduction. Partner closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to ensure customer feedback is integrated into the product roadmap.

What You Bring

• Experience: A minimum of 7-10 years of experience selling complex, high‑value software solutions (ideally Electronic Design Automation/EDA or AI software) to the semiconductor or related advanced technology industries.
• Industry Network: A strong, existing network of contacts and proven relationships within semiconductor R&D labs and major integrated device manufacturers (IDMs).
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of semiconductor design workflows and the application of AI/Machine Learning within the design lifecycle.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a similar technical field is highly desirable).
• Skills: Exceptional complex solution selling and negotiation skills, and the ability to translate deep technical concepts into clear business value for C‑suite decision-makers. Proficiency with CRM software and sales analytics tools.

Bonus Points

• Hands‑on chip design or EDA application engineering experience is a plus.
• Prior experience in Market & Competitive Intelligence, continuously monitoring industry trends to adjust sales strategies and inform product development.
• Demonstrated history of closing multi‑million dollar software deals in the EDA space.

What It's Like Here

We’re a rapidly growing, VC‑backed startup where “raw talent and collaborative spirit over ego” isn’t just a motto—it’s how we work every day. You’ll be surrounded by teammates who have built companies from zero to IPO, led teams at Google and Amazon, and earned medals in international science Olympiads. We value relentless curiosity, humble problem‑solving, and a bias toward action.