Sr Principal Software Engineer

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

Cadence is a pivotal leader in electronic design, building upon more than 30 years of computational software expertise. The company applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality.

Cadence customers are the world’s most innovative companies, delivering extraordinary electronic products from chips to boards to systems for the most dynamic market applications including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, aerospace industrial and health.

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

Job Title: Senior Principal Software Engineer

Location: Sweden

Reports to: Sr Software Engineering Group Director

Job Overview:

The Senior Principal Software Engineer position serves as a key technical liaison, transforming VLAB’s advanced virtual hardware solutions into successful sales outcomes. This role translates customer requirements into effective solution proposals and manages on-premises or cloud deployments with precision. In doing so, it contributes to revenue growth, strengthens client relationships, and supports product development through valuable real-world feedback.

Job Responsibilities:

Develop and deliver high‑impact technical solutions that meet or exceed customer expectations.

• Lead Solution Design – Analyze prospective customers’ system‑level requirements (e.g., automotive ECU validation, aerospace flight‑control simulation) and craft VLAB configurations that demonstrate ROI and technical feasibility.
• Execute Field Demonstrations – Plan, configure, and run live or remote VLAB demos that showcase performance, scalability, and integration with existing toolchains.
• Drive Technical Sales Enablement – Partner with the sales team to prepare ROI calculations, technical presentations, and proof‑of‑concept documentation that close deals.
• Integrate with Customer Toolchains – Work closely with customers’ engineering teams to map VLAB into their workflow (Simulink, FMI, ASAM, SilKit, etc.), ensuring data flow and interoperability.
• Provide Training & Knowledge Transfer – Conduct workshops, webinars, and on‑site training sessions covering VLAB installation, scripting (Python), debugging, performance tuning and optimization.
• Post‑Deployment Support & Optimization – Offer hands‑on troubleshooting, performance profiling, and configuration tuning; capture usage data to refine VLAB features.
• Capture Feedback & Drive Roadmap – Translate field insights into actionable product enhancement requests and collaborate with R&D to prioritize new capabilities.
• Maintain Customer Success Metrics – Track adoption, usage depth, and satisfaction scores; report on renewal/expansion opportunities.

Job Qualifications:

We seek an accomplished professional who meets the following criteria:

• Education: Bachelor’s (or master’s) degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Embedded Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 12+ years in embedded systems, hardware simulation/emulation, or field‑applications engineering with a proven record of customer success.
• Technical Sales: Ability to assess client needs, craft persuasive technical proposals, and close opportunities in a sales‑technical context.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrated partnership with cross‑functional teams (engineering, product management, sales) to deliver complex solutions.
• Embedded Hardware Expertise: Deep knowledge of MCU/SoC architectures (Arm, Tricore, RH850, RISC‑V), bus protocols, and hardware–software interface design.
• Programming Proficiency: Advanced skills in C/C++ and Python; experience with build systems, debugging (GDB), and performance profiling.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate complex technical concepts for both engineering and executive audiences.
• Travel: Required for in-person customer interactions, trade show attendance. Up to 1 or 2 weeks per month.

Additional Skills and Preferences:

• Hardware Simulation and Emulation: Proficiency with SystemC, QEMU, and KVM/Xen platforms.
• Embedded Software: Experience with Linux, QNX, Android, AUTOSAR, FreeRTOS, firmware development, and boot process management.
• Project and Customer Management: Skills in project estimation, planning, change management, and fostering customer engagement.
• Safety Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with ISO 26262, DO‑178C or related safety frameworks is a plus.

Additional Information:

• Team Structure: The Sr Principal Software Engineer sits within the System Verification Engineering team, collaborating closely with Sales, Product Management, and R&D.
• Key Stakeholders: Automotive OEMs, Tier‑1 suppliers, system integrators, and internal engineering groups.
• Tools & Platforms: VLAB, VS Code, JIRA/Confluence, GitHub, and customer‑specific tools (MATLAB/Simulink, etc.).
• Contract Type: Full‑time, permanent position with competitive base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.

Cadence is committed to equal employment opportunity and employment equity throughout all levels of the organization. We strive to attract a qualified and diverse candidate pool and encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

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

About Us

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.