Senior Staff Program Manager - Academic & Research Partnerships

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 a career at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, and you understand that the most impactful programs are those that connect all three. Strong partnerships are not just about agreements on paper for you. They are about aligning long-term research goals, talent development, and real industry needs in ways that stick.

You are comfortable working across the European semiconductor landscape, whether that means engaging with universities, research institutes, startups, or foundry partners. Walking into a research lab, you can quickly understand how a project translates into advanced-node design, chiplet integration, or broader ecosystem opportunities. At the same time, you are equally at ease engaging with policymakers, EU program stakeholders, and industry leaders shaping the future of semiconductor investment and workforce strategy.

Technical depth in VLSI, EDA, and advanced-node technologies gives you credibility with engineers and researchers. It also helps you identify opportunities that others overlook. You understand how workforce development connects to real capability, how students move from theory to hands-on design experience, and how that ultimately feeds into stronger industry pipelines.

You are organized and execution-focused, able to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that span research partnerships, EU-funded programmes, and workforce development efforts. Navigating IP, legal, and compliance considerations while keeping momentum and delivering results is something you have done before and know how to do well.

At Synopsys, you will play a key role in shaping how research, education, and industry collaboration come together across Europe, helping build both the next generation of semiconductor technology and the people who will develop it.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Build and manage strategic research partnerships with leading European universities, research institutes, and RTOs, aligning collaborations with Synopsys' technology roadmap and business priorities
• Engage directly with principal investigators, research leaders, and academic centres to identify emerging areas such as advanced nodes, chiplets, heterogeneous integration, photonics, and advanced packaging
• Support the structuring and execution of research agreements, including coordination around IP, licensing, and compliance with internal and external stakeholders
• Identify and track emerging research areas and university spin-outs, contributing to early engagement strategies and potential long-term ecosystem opportunities
• Drive workforce development initiatives across Europe, expanding access to advanced-node design methodologies and modern semiconductor workflows
• Lead and coordinate academic workforce programmes in collaboration with foundries such as TSMC and other ecosystem partners
• Support hands-on education initiatives covering advanced-node design, 3D ICs, chiplets, and advanced packaging, helping build industry-ready talent pipelines
• Align regional workforce development efforts with Synopsys' global frameworks, ensuring scalable and repeatable programme models
• Actively contribute to Synopsys' engagement with the EU Chips Act ecosystem, working across programmes such as Europractice, Design Platforms, DETs, Competence Centres, and pilot lines
• Serve as a connective layer between academic partnerships, EU programmes, foundry collaborations, and internal Synopsys business teams
• Collaborate with Government Affairs, EU policymakers, and industry consortia to support strategic initiatives and funding programmes
• Represent Synopsys across academic, research, startup, and government-adjacent forums throughout Europe
• Manage programme timelines, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional alignment to ensure successful delivery and long-term impact

The Impact You Will Have:

• Position Synopsys as a strategic partner within the European semiconductor ecosystem, across academia, industry, and government
• Strengthen Synopsys' role in EU Chips Act initiatives and related programmes, ensuring alignment with long-term regional priorities
• Expand the pipeline of industry-ready talent by enabling hands-on learning and workforce development in advanced-node design and emerging technologies
• Accelerate innovation by connecting academic research with real-world semiconductor challenges and Synopsys' product roadmap
• Enable first-of-a-kind collaborations between universities, foundries, and ecosystem partners that shape future design capabilities
• Identify strategic growth opportunities through research institutions, EU-funded initiatives, and university-linked startups
• Enhance Synopsys' visibility and influence across Europe's research, policy, and innovation communities
• Build sustainable, long-term partnerships that evolve alongside technology trends and ecosystem needs

What You'll Need

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field