Staff CAD/EDA Tools Engineer

Company Overview

Cognichip is pioneering AI-native solutions that revolutionize semiconductor design, verification, and optimization. Leveraging proprietary large models, domain-specific engineering insights, and powerful simulation platforms, our technology accelerates one of the most intricate engineering fields globally.

Role Overview

The Staff CAD/EDA Tools Engineer will lead the development and maintenance of the application layer in our EDA toolchain. This includes building and managing wrapper scripts, command-line interfaces, and container images that enable reliable and consistent use of both open-source and commercial chip design tools across engineering teams and AI systems. The role involves maintaining and advancing tooling deployed at cloud scale, ensuring smooth integration and usability in complex design workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop and continuously improve wrapper scripts and CLI utilities that provide consistent interfaces to diverse open-source EDA tools like Verilator, Yosys, slang, Icarus Verilog, and cocotb, alongside commercial solutions.
• Create, secure, version, and distribute Docker images bundling EDA tools with accurate dependencies and licensing for dependable team-wide usage.
• Manage the entire application layer by assessing, integrating, and configuring new open-source tools to support real-world design and verification applications.
• Identify and resolve compatibility challenges, version inconsistencies, and build failures spanning simulators, synthesis tools, and container platforms.
• Configure licensing for commercial EDA software (including FlexLM license servers) in close cooperation with DevOps responsible for infrastructure.
• Coordinate with DevOps on deployment and consumption practices for containerized tools while retaining ownership over image content and integrity.
• Collaborate with RTL design, verification, and AI/ML teams to understand and translate workflow requirements into dependable, well-documented tooling solutions.
• Produce comprehensive documentation covering tool usage, wrapper APIs, and container image details to facilitate self-service by engineers and AI agents.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in software tooling and CAD/EDA infrastructure engineering.
• Proven hands-on proficiency with open-source EDA and HDL tools such as Verilator, Yosys, and Icarus Verilog or comparable RTL simulation and synthesis tools.
• Advanced scripting and software development skills in Python and Bash, including creation of CLI wrappers and tool integrations.
• Strong knowledge of Docker, encompassing Dockerfile creation, image construction/versioning, and troubleshooting containerized environments.
• Experience with digital design tools from major vendors such as Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens.
• Comfortable working in Linux environments with the ability to independently debug tooling, builds, and dependencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with hardware verification methodologies like UVM or similar frameworks.
• Experience with declarative build and dependency management systems for hardware projects.
• Knowledge of FlexLM or similar license management systems for EDA tools.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure, particularly for deploying containerized applications.
• Experience in startup or small-team settings delivering end-to-end tool ownership with autonomy.

Work Environment

Cognichip fosters a fast-paced, collaborative culture emphasizing trust, technical excellence, and innovation. We encourage ownership and experimentation to develop category-defining products. Our work schedule includes four days onsite and one remote day, blending face-to-face teamwork with flexibility. Join us if you are passionate about advancing semiconductor toolchains and impacting chip design workflows.