Sr Director, Applications Engineering

Descriptions & Requirements

Job Description and Requirements


We Are

Synopsys is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products. We deliver industry-leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow.

You Are

You have built your career leading global technical sales organizations where Physical Verification expertise translates directly into revenue performance and market share gains. You bring the technical credibility to engage senior design teams and the business acumen to turn those relationships into measurable outcomes. Your experience has taught you that the best field engineering teams do not simply respond to customer requests, they shape how customers think about their verification challenges.

You are equally effective presenting technical solutions to engineering leadership and delivering business results to executive stakeholders. When customers make critical platform decisions, your team has a seat at the table. At Synopsys, you will lead the worldwide Physical Verification applications engineering function with full responsibility for technical strategy and revenue performance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the worldwide Physical Verification field applications engineering organization, establishing technical and commercial strategies across all geographic regions
• Drive achievement of annual revenue targets through strategic pipeline development, account planning, and disciplined sales execution
• Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with key decision-makers at semiconductor companies, foundries, and design organizations
• Develop and implement competitive displacement initiatives that leverage the full Synopsys portfolio to capture market share from established competitors
• Serve as the primary conduit between field operations and product development, providing structured customer feedback to inform Physical Verification product roadmap priorities
• Build organizational capability through strategic hiring, professional development, and talent retention across a global team structure
• Collaborate with sales leadership to optimize resource allocation and ensure alignment between technical capabilities and high-value business opportunities

The Impact You Will Have

• You will directly influence Synopsys' competitive position in Physical Verification, a strategically important and highly competitive segment of the EDA market
• Your organization's technical capabilities and customer relationships will be determining factors in customer platform decisions at critical evaluation points
• The competitive programs you establish will systematically shift market share in accounts where competitors maintain established positions
• Your contributions to product strategy will ensure that development investments align with validated market requirements and competitive differentiation opportunities
• Your ability to position integrated Synopsys solutions will expand deal value and deepen strategic customer partnerships
• The revenue performance you deliver will enable continued investment in Physical Verification capabilities and strengthen market leadership

What You'll Need

• 15+ years of experience in semiconductor or EDA industries, with demonstrated expertise in Physical Verification technologies including DRC, LVS, fill, and signoff methodologies
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred
• Proven track record leading global technical sales or applications engineering organizations with direct revenue accountability
• Demonstrated success managing geographically distributed teams across multiple regions and time zones
• Established relationships with senior technical and business decision-makers at semiconductor companies, foundries, or fabless design organizations
• Track record of executing successful competitive displacement strategies and achieving measurable market share growth in mature markets
• Ability to travel up to 40% to support customer engagements, team development, and strategic account activities

Who You Are

• You quickly assess technical situations and identify the core issues that require resolution to advance customer decisions
• You establish clear expectations and accountability frameworks that enable your team to operate effectively and deliver consistent results
• You conduct thorough analysis of competitive outcomes to extract insights and refine organizational strategies
• You communicate complex technical concepts concisely to executive audiences while preserving necessary detail and context
• You provide direct feedback when product capabilities do not meet market requirements and advocate effectively for resources needed to secure strategic opportunities
• You operate with equal effectiveness in technical discussions with engineering teams and business negotiations with senior executives

The Team You'll Be Part Of

You'll be part of a global Physical Verification field applications engineering team that works closely with customers, sales, and R&D to drive both technical wins and business growth. The culture is fast-moving and impact-driven, but also supportive and team-oriented, with people who are willing to help each other out and share knowledge along the way.

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.