Senior Principal Quality Engineer: Silicon IP & AI QA

Cadence; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 154,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus and equity

Medical/dental/vision plans

401(k) plan with employer match

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

Cadence is seeking a Technical Quality Engineer to join the Silicon Solutions Group. You will champion quality across design teams, analyze defects to root causes, and define QA/release QC processes. Your work will improve flows globally and support ISO 9001/26262 certifications.

You will collaborate with IP design, methodology, and CAD teams to deliver high‑quality semiconductor IP. The role emphasizes data‑driven metrics and proactive quality improvements in a on‑site setting in North America.

Qualifications

• 7+ years hands‑on experience in analog or digital IC design or verification, or silicon fabrication quality assurance/control.
• Experience in defect management and defect analysis processes (RCA, 5Why, 8D) is a plus.
• Strong communication, quality consciousness, proactivity and responsibility.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and ISO 26262 quality certifications is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Actively participate on the global SSG Quality Team.
• Represent the SSG Quality Team to customers and partners.
• Implement improvements to flows and procedures across the organization.
• Define and maintain quality procedures for multiple design teams.
• Improve quality procedures using agentic AI systems.
• Generate, interpret and communicate quality metrics.
• Perform root‑cause analysis and identify corrective actions.
• Lead post‑mortem reviews and communicate results.
• Assist design teams in Failure Analysis reports.
• Support external foundry quality programs.

Skills

IC design experience

Verification experience

Defect analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

MSEE

Job description

Cadence is seeking a Technical Quality Engineer to join the Silicon Solutions Group. You will champion quality across design teams, analyze defects to root causes, and define QA/release QC processes. Your work will improve flows globally and support ISO 9001/26262 certifications.

You will collaborate with IP design, methodology, and CAD teams to deliver high‑quality semiconductor IP. The role emphasizes data‑driven metrics and proactive quality improvements in a on‑site setting in North America.