At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise EDA database infrastructure software for advanced chip-design tools.
- Company: Join Cadence, a leader in electronic design with over 30 years of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 30 days holiday, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate globally in a hybrid work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on technology and work on challenging problems in modern electronic design.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science or related field, with strong C++ skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
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
Software Engineer II
Location
Munich, Germany or Cambridge, UK
Reports to
- Sr Software Engineering Group Director
- Job Overview
As a Software Engineer II on the Innovus and Genus database team within Cadence’s Digital Design Implementation (DDI) business unit, you will design and build the database infrastructure that underpins some of the world’s most advanced chip-design tools.
Your work will directly shape the performance, scalability, and reliability of EDA software used by leading semiconductor companies globally - enabling them to bring next-generation integrated circuits to market faster and with greater confidence.
This is an opportunity to work on technically challenging, high-impact problems at the heart of modern electronic design.
- Job Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimise EDA database infrastructure software, including data-model enhancements, API definitions, and class implementations.
- Investigate and resolve customer-reported defects, delivering robust fixes and clear root-cause analysis within agreed timelines.
- Collaborate with application engineering teams to profile, benchmark, and improve database API performance and code quality.
- Reduce database memory footprint to support very large-scale IC designs, enabling customers to tackle increasingly complex chips.
- Contribute to architectural discussions and technical design reviews, proposing solutions that balance performance, maintainability, and long-term scalability.
- Write clean, well-tested code and accompanying documentation that meets Cadence’s engineering standards.
- Participate actively in agile ceremonies - sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives - as a constructive team contributor.
- Stay current with relevant developments in EDA, database architecture, and AI-assisted development tooling, and share insights with the broader team.
- Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field - or equivalent professional experience.
- Min 2 years of professional software development experience in a relevant engineering environment.
- Strong proficiency in C++, including familiarity with modern C++ standards and best practices.
- Understanding of IC design data models, database architecture, and efficient data-access algorithms.
- Experience working in UNIX and/or Linux development environments.
- Excellent software engineering fundamentals: clean code practices, debugging, testing, and performance analysis.
Skills
Additional Skills/Preferences
- Experience with Tcl scripting in an EDA or automation context.
- Familiarity with Verilog Hardware Description Language.
- Knowledge of the IEEE 1801 Power Format (UPF) standard.
- Practical experience using AI-assisted coding tools (e. g., Git Hub Copilot, Claude Code, or similar) to accelerate and improve development workflows.
- Additional Information
You will join a globally distributed team with colleagues across Europe, the United States, and Asia, collaborating across time zones in an inclusive, high-trust environment.
The role supports hybrid working at either our Munich or Cambridge offices.
Core tools include C++, Tcl, Linux, and internal EDA toolchains.
You will work closely with application engineering teams and, where relevant, engage with customer-facing technical colleagues.
- Check What We Can Offer You
- Competitive salary
- 30 days holiday per year
- Group Pension Plan
- Job Rad
- EGYM Wellpass
- Lunch vouchers
- 5 days paid time to volunteer to give back to our communities
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- The opportunity to work for a Great Place to Work© & Fortune 100 organization
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Software Engineer II (C++) in Cambridge employer: Cadence
Join a dynamic and high-growth brand as an E-commerce Manager, where you'll have the opportunity to take real ownership of our Shopify store from day one. With a remote-first approach and a direct line to senior leadership, you’ll thrive in a collaborative work culture that values your contributions and encourages personal growth. Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment, perfect for those eager to prove themselves and build something meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer II (C++) in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Cadence or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Cadence.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Cadence.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Cadence that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer II (C++) in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Cadence.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Cadence and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cadence
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Cadence uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
