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R&D Engineering, Sr Staff Engineer

Sunnyvale, California, United States
Engineering
Employee
$165000-$248000
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Overview

Synopsys software engineers are key enablers in the world of Electronic Design Automation (EDA), developing and maintaining software used in chip design, verification and manufacturing. They work on assignments like designing, developing, and troubleshooting software, leveraging the state-of-the-art technologies like AI/ML, GenAI and Cloud. Their critical contributions enable world-wide EDA designers to extend the frontiers of semiconductors and chip development.

Job Description

Date posted 03/19/2026

Category Engineering Hire Type Employee Job ID 16098 Base Salary Range $165000-$248000 Remote Eligible No Date Posted 03/19/2026

We Are:

At Synopsys, we drive the innovations that shape the way we live and connect. Our technology is central to the Era of Pervasive Intelligence, from self-driving cars to learning machines. We lead in chip design, verification, and IP integration, empowering the creation of high-performance silicon chips and software content. Join us to transform the future through continuous technological innovation.

You Are:

You are a seasoned engineering professional with a passion for performance optimization and a drive to push technological boundaries. You thrive in environments where your deep understanding of C++ and Verilog/SystemVerilog LRM can be leveraged to architect solutions that fundamentally enhance simulation speed and reliability. You are excited by the challenge of exploring GPU acceleration with CUDA, and you understand the critical role that simulation performance plays in the "shift-left" strategy for global semiconductor leaders. Your expertise enables you to tackle complex problems, and you are adept at integrating modern AI-powered development tools to accelerate productivity and automate repetitive tasks. You believe in collaboration and mentorship, actively sharing knowledge with junior engineers and engaging with distributed R&D teams to foster innovation. You are committed to continuous learning, staying ahead of industry trends and embracing new technologies that can drive impact. Your communication skills are strong, enabling you to articulate technical concepts across diverse audiences and contribute to a culture of inclusivity and excellence. Above all, you are motivated by the opportunity to influence the next generation of verification solutions and empower designers to create complex AI and SoC systems faster and more reliably.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Architecting and optimizing high-performance simulation kernels for the Synopsys VCS RTL simulator using advanced C++ techniques.
  • Exploring and implementing GPU acceleration strategies with CUDA to significantly reduce simulation runtimes for customers.
  • Leveraging deep knowledge of Verilog/SystemVerilog LRM to ensure accurate and reliable simulation across diverse design environments.
  • Integrating AI-powered tools (such as Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and generative AI assistants) to automate code generation and debugging processes.
  • Mentoring and guiding junior engineers, fostering skills development and technical growth within the team.
  • Collaborating with distributed R&D teams to maintain Synopsys’ leadership and drive innovation in the EDA industry.
  • Analyzing performance bottlenecks and proposing architectural improvements to enable "shift-left" verification strategies for global semiconductor customers.

The Impact You Will Have:

  • Accelerate verification cycles for leading semiconductor companies, enabling faster time-to-market for complex AI and SoC designs.
  • Drive the evolution of the world’s fastest Verilog simulator, setting new industry standards for performance and reliability.
  • Empower customers to achieve greater productivity and efficiency through advanced simulation capabilities and reduced runtimes.
  • Strengthen Synopsys’ position as the global leader in EDA tools by delivering innovative, high-impact solutions.
  • Mentor and inspire the next generation of engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
  • Champion the adoption of AI-powered development workflows, transforming the way R&D teams approach code generation and debugging.

What You’ll Need:

  • 8-10 years of relevant experience 
  • Expert-level proficiency in C++ with proven experience in performance-critical software development.
  • Deep understanding of Verilog/SystemVerilog Language Reference Manuals (LRM) and simulation methodologies.
  • Hands-on experience with GPU programming, especially using CUDA for parallel acceleration.
  • Familiarity with AI-powered development tools such as Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and generative AI assistants.
  • Strong architectural design skills and ability to analyze and optimize complex software systems.
  • Experience in mentoring and guiding junior engineers within an R&D environment.

Who You Are:

  • Innovative thinker with a passion for driving technological advancements.
  • Collaborative and inclusive, eager to work with diverse teams across geographies.
  • Effective communicator, able to translate complex technical concepts for varied audiences.
  • Proactive and self-motivated, continually seeking ways to improve processes and outcomes.
  • Adaptable and resilient, comfortable navigating ambiguity and embracing new challenges.

The Team You’ll Be A Part Of:

You’ll join the Synopsys VCS performance team, a group of expert engineers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of RTL simulation speed and reliability. The team operates in a highly collaborative, distributed environment, focusing on architecting innovative solutions that enable global semiconductor leaders to verify increasingly complex designs. You’ll work closely with colleagues across R&D, sharing knowledge and driving joint initiatives that maintain Synopsys’ leadership in the EDA industry.

Rewards and Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive range of health, wellness, and financial benefits to cater to your needs. Our total rewards include both monetary and non-monetary offerings. Your recruiter will provide more details about the salary range and benefits during the hiring process.




At Synopsys, we want talented people of every background to feel valued and supported to do their best work. Synopsys considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, military veteran status, or disability.

In addition to the base salary, this role may be eligible for an annual bonus, equity, and other discretionary bonuses. Synopsys offers comprehensive health, wellness, and financial benefits as part of a competitive total rewards package. The actual compensation offered will be based on a number of job-related factors, including location, skills, experience, and education. Your recruiter can share more specific details on the total rewards package upon request. The base salary range for this role is across the U.S.

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Benefits

At Synopsys, innovation is driven by our incredible team around the world. We feel honored to work alongside such talented and passionate individuals who choose to make a difference here every day. We're proud to provide the comprehensive benefits and rewards that our team truly deserves.

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Hiring Journey at Synopsys

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As an applicant your resume, skills, and experience are being reviewed for consideration.

Phone Screen

Once your resume has been selected a recruiter and/or hiring manager will reach out to learn more about you and share more about the role.

Interview

You will be invited to meet with the hiring team to measure your qualifications for the role. Our interviews are held either in person or via Zoom.

Offer

Congratulations! When you have been selected for the role, your recruiter will reach out to make you a verbal offer (a written offer will follow your conversation), and we hope you accept!

Onboarding

There will be some steps you need to take before you start to ensure a smooth first day, including new hire documentation.

Welcome!

Once you’ve joined, your manager, team, and a peer buddy will help you get acclimated. Over the next few weeks, you’ll be invited to join activities and training to help you ramp up for a successful future at Synopsys!

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