Principal Program Manager

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

Job Description: Project Manager (T4)

Position: Principal Program Manager— Level T4
Function: Engineering / Program Management — EDA Software Development

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Project Manager to lead and coordinate complex, high-stakes initiatives across multiple engineering and business teams in the context of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software development. You will be the central orchestrator ensuring delivery excellence, stakeholder alignment, and continuous innovation across the full EDA product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Multi-team coordination: Drive alignment across cross-functional teams (engineering, QA, design, operations, business) to ensure seamless execution and on-time delivery of EDA software projects.
• Customer project ownership: Manage end-to-end delivery of customer-facing EDA projects, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring commitments are met with quality.
• High-stakes project leadership: Lead critical, high-visibility programs with significant business or technical impact, managing risks proactively and escalating appropriately.
• Structured planning: Define project scope, milestones, dependencies, and resource plans using rigorous methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, or hybrid).
• Innovation facilitation: Champion new approaches and continuously explore emerging tools — including AI-assisted project management (intelligent scheduling, risk prediction, automated reporting, and AI-driven decision support) — to improve team efficiency and project outcomes.
• Status reporting: Provide clear, concise, and accurate communication to all stakeholders — from engineers to senior leadership.
• Team collaboration: Foster a strong team spirit, removing blockers and ensuring every contributor feels supported and empowered.

Required Profile

• Proven track record managing complex, multi-team programs in a technical or software development environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — able to adapt messaging for both technical and executive audiences.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and structured in approach.
• Collaborative mindset with genuine team spirit — you succeed when the team succeeds.
• Comfortable operating under pressure and navigating ambiguity on high-stakes deliverables.
• Experience with project management tools (Jira, Confluence, MS Project, or equivalent).
• Understanding of EDA tools and the semiconductor design flow is a strong plus — familiarity with the domain (simulation, synthesis, place & route, verification, etc.) enables faster ramp-up and more credible engagement with engineering teams.
• PMP certification (Project Management Professional) is a strong plus — it demonstrates mastery of globally recognized PM standards and a commitment to the discipline.

What We Value

You are not just a process enforcer — you are a builder of bridges between teams, a guardian of commitments to customers, and a driver of a culture where quality and innovation go hand in hand. You embrace AI as a force multiplier to manage smarter, not just harder — and you bring enough EDA domain awareness to speak the language of the engineers you serve.

We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.