Software Architect - Virtual & Hybrid Platform Integration and Software Bring-up

Software Architect

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

Software Architect – Virtual & Hybrid Platform Integration and Software Bring-up

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Software Architect to join the team, responsible for Virtual and Hybrid platform integration and pre‑silicon software bring-up. The candidate will work on complex emulator- and FPGA-based platforms to enable early software development and validation for mobile, hyperscale, and automotive SoCs.

This is a hands-on individual contributor role requiring deep technical expertise, strong cross‑functional collaboration, and the ability to independently drive complex technical deliverables from architecture to execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, integrate, and debug Virtual and Hybrid platforms combining RTL, transactors, and virtual models for pre‑silicon enablement.
• Develop systemC and Multithreaded C++ models and Transactors necessary for bringup of software on a Hybrid platform.
• Lead software bring-up on pre‑silicon platforms (emulators / FPGA prototypes), including:
  • Bare‑metal environments
  • Linux OS
  • Android
  • Windows (where applicable)
• Drive end‑to‑end platform readiness from early boot (ROM, bootloaders) to OS stability.
• Work closely with RTL, IP, firmware, validation, and customer teams to define requirements, align interfaces, and plan deliverables.
• Debug complex software and platform issues using:
  • Waveform analysis
  • Software debuggers (GDB, JTAG-based, emulator debuggers, etc.)
  • Logs and traces
• Identify root causes across HW/SW boundaries and propose robust architectural fixes.

Technical Expertise & Qualifications

Required Skills

• Strong background in software architecture with proven experience building and debugging complex pre‑silicon platforms.
• Hands‑on experience integrating RTL with virtual and hybrid environments.
• Deep understanding of SoC architecture and system-level behavior across:
  • Mobile
  • Hyperscaler / Datacenter
  • Automotive platforms
• Expert knowledge of AMBA protocols and interconnects.
• Proven experience working with and integrating key SoC IPs such as:
  • UFS, NVMe, PCIe
• Strong proficiency in software debugging methodologies, including waveform-based debug and HW/SW co-debug.
• Solid programming and scripting skills (C/C++, Python, shell scripting preferred).
• Hands on experience on Multi-Threaded aspects, its challenges and tools to manage deadlocks

Preferred / Value-Add Skills

• Experience with SystemC modeling and transaction-level modeling; ability to modify or develop models is a strong plus.
• Prior experience working with emulators and FPGA-based platforms (Palladium, Protium, or similar).
• Familiarity with GenAI / LLM-based workflows applied to EDA, debugging, automation, or productivity acceleration.
• Knowledge of platform performance analysis and optimization.

Collaboration & Leadership Expectations

• Strong ability to work across cross‑functional teams and with external customers to:
  • Understand complex, multi-team requirements
  • Translate them into executable technical plans
• Ability to independently lead and execute projects, owning outcomes end to end.
• While this is an individual contributor role, prior experience in:
  • Mentoring junior engineers
  • Technical leadership
  • Team or project ownership
    is highly valued.

Candidate Profile

• A senior, hands-on technologist with strong problem-solving skills and a system-level mindset.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.
• Motivated to align with long‑term technical growth and strategic platform evolution within Cadence.

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Experience Level

Senior Level