Senior Principal AE-RF Design Engineer

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. is seeking an experienced millimeter-wave IC designer to lead the full lifecycle for 30 GHz+ transceivers and components for 5G/6G, aerospace radar, and automotive sensors.

Responsibilities include parasitic extraction, thermal management, and high-frequency EM modeling. Candidates should have 10+ years in RF design, with deep expertise in PAs, LNAs, mixers, VCOs, RF PLLs, direct-conversion architectures, and RF SOI processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industrial experience taking designs from conception through tape-out to final lab validation.
• Deep expertise in RF block design and high-frequency electromagnetics.
• Experience with RF PLLs and phase-noise management.
• Proficiency with RF SOI processes and advanced node trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of PAs, LNAs, mixers, and VCOs for 30 GHz+ transceivers.
• Tackle parasitic extraction, thermal management, and high-frequency EM modeling.
• Engage with customers and drive the full product lifecycle from concept to lab validation.
• Develop RF architectures including direct-conversion and phased-array approaches.

Skills

Power Amplifiers

Low Noise Amplifiers

Mixers

Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

RF transceiver architectures

Direct-conversion topologies

Phased-array systems

ACPR

EVM

BER

RF PLL design

Sigma-Delta / FRAC-N PLLs

Phase noise

Parasitic extraction

RF SOI process knowledge

EM modeling

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cadence Virtuoso

VRF flows

System Simulation: VSS

EMX

Clarity

Layout MXL

QRC

Pegasus

Job description

AUSTIN

Burlington, MA

CARY

Full time

R55248

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

Experienced Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) IC designer specialize in engineering high-frequency (30 GHz+) transceivers and components for 5G/6G communications, aerospace radar, and automotive sensors. Will drive the full product lifecycle, tackling challenges like parasitic extraction, thermal management, and high-frequency electromagnetic modeling. High level of customer engagement at a fast pace on state of the art design. Requires a deep, specialized skill set:

• Building Blocks: Deep expertise in designing custom blocks such as Power Amplifiers (PAs), Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), mixers, and Voltage-Controlled Oscillators (VCOs).

• RF Subsystem: Deep expertise in designing Tx and Rx signal chains for noise, figure, linearity dynamic range and power efficiency. Deep experience in RF PLL design including Sigma delta, FRAC-N PLL. Phase noise and spurius signal, settling time. Experience with PLL buildng blocks such as PFD, charge pumps, dividers, multipliers.

• Architecture: Proficiency in RF transceiver architectures, direct-conversion topologies, and phased-array systems. Signal chain analysis and system figures of merit such as ACPR, EVM and BER.

• Process Technologies: Hands-on experience on advanced nodes using RF SOI process and deep knowledge of the required trade offs.

• Software Tools: Mastery of standard EDA software environments, including:

• System Simulation: VSS -

• Schematic & Simulation: Cadence Virtuoso and VRF flows

• Electromagnetic (EM) Simulation: EMX, and Clarity

• Layout & Verification: Layout MXL, QRC and Pegasus

• Education: Usually an M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or a closely related discipline).

• Experience: 10+ years of industrial experience taking designs from conception through tape-out to final lab validation.

• Validation: Extensive lab characterization experience utilizing high-frequency equipment like spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and probe stations.

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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 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.

Cadence is committed to creating a diverse environment and 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.