Senior Principal AE-RF Design Engineer

Cadence Design Systems; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 190,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadence Design Systems is seeking a Senior Principal RF Design Engineer to lead high-frequency IC development for 30 GHz+ applications. You will own the full lifecycle from concept through tape-out and lab validation, focusing on PA/LNA blocks, mixers and VCOs.

The role requires deep RF knowledge, experience with RF PLLs, phase noise control, and EM/silicon trade-offs. Expect collaboration with customers and a fast-paced team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industrial RF IC design experience from concept to tape-out.
• Extensive lab validation using spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and probes.
• Expertise in PAs, LNAs, mixers, and VCOs.
• Strong knowledge of RF PLL design including PFDs and charge pumps.
• Proficiency with RF-SOI processes and trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end mmWave IC design projects from concept to tape-out.
• Develop and validate RF transceiver architectures and signal chains.
• Perform parasitic extraction, EM simulation, and layout verification.
• Characterize designs in lab using RF test equipment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers.

Skills

Millimeter-Wave IC design

RF design

Transceiver architectures

Phase noise & spurii

Lab characterization

Customer engagement

PA design

LNA design

Mixer design

VCO design

PLL design

RF SOI process knowledge

Education

M.S./Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cadence Virtuoso

VRF flows

EMX

Clarity

Layout MXL

QRC

Pegasus

VSS

Job description

## Senior Principal RF Design EngineerApplylocations: AUSTIN: Burlington, MA: CARYtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: 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.