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.