Principal Program Manager – Academic & Research Partnerships

You will serve as the North America lead for execution of Synopsys’ Workforce Development strategy, working in close partnership with the global Workforce Development function to localize, implement, and scale high-impact programs across the region.

Key Responsibilities:

North America Research Partnerships (SARA)

• Identify, assess, and develop strategic research partnerships with key universities and research institutions in North America
• Build long-term relationships with leading professors, principal investigators, and research centres aligned with Synopsys technology and customer/government priorities
• Support contract negotiation and coordination related to research collaborations, including IP, licensing, and compliance matters
• Scout emerging research areas and university spin-offs relevant to Synopsys’ technology roadmap, including support for early-stage engagement and potential M&A deal sourcing

Workforce Development (WFD)

• Serve as the North America point of ownership for planning and execution of Workforce Development programs, aligned with Synopsys’ global strategy and regional business priorities
• Develop a deep understanding of U.S. federal and state workforce development initiatives related to semiconductors, EDA, and advanced packaging
• Position Synopsys as a strategic partner for government, academia, and industry consortia addressing workforce gaps
• Collaborate with universities, government agencies, and customers to secure and execute multi-million-dollar workforce development projects
• Support the scaling of workforce development programs that expand access to Synopsys technology and prepare students for industry roles
• Build and manage a portfolio of WFD initiatives, including prioritization, resource allocation, and ROI tracking
• Develop and maintain a structured pipeline of WFD opportunities (federal, state, and industry-funded), including proactive identification and qualification
• Drive scalable program models (e.g., curriculum creation on demand, hands-on design experiences, cloud-based tool access programs) to increase relevant talent development
• Define and track success metrics, including institutional adoption, talent pipeline outcomes, and strategic/revenue impact
• Ensure alignment with global Workforce Development leadership to replicate best practices and maintain consistency in program design and messaging

Cross-Functional and Ecosystem Engagement

• Work closely with North America sales, marketing, and business teams to align academic and workforce programs with regional business priorities
• Support and co-organize technical events such as research workshops, design challenges, training programs, and conference engagements to strengthen Synopsys’ thought leadership position in workforce development and research partnerships with the scientific community
• Collaborate with Marketing and PR to amplify Synopsys’ leadership in workforce development through campaigns, thought leadership, and executive engagement
• Identify revenue and strategic growth opportunities arising from research institutions, government-funded programs, and university-affiliated startups

Program Governance and Operations

• Establish and maintain standardized processes for WFD program intake, evaluation, and prioritization across North America
• Implement tracking and reporting mechanisms to provide visibility into program performance, funding, and outcomes
• Ensure cross-functional execution discipline, including coordination with legal, finance, and operations stakeholders
• Develop repeatable playbooks and frameworks to scale successful WFD and research partnership models

Requirements:

• MS or PhD in Engineering or a closely related field
• Strong background in the EDA industry and/or semiconductor ecosystem, with proven experience managing academic research partnerships, workforce development programs, or similar cross-functional initiatives
• Strong understanding of the U.S. academic, research, and government funding landscape
• Proven ability to influence across organisations and manage complex stakeholder environments, including legal, IP, and operational considerations
• Methodical yet creative program manager with strong execution discipline
• Ability to operate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience managing or contributing to government-funded workforce or education programs (e.g. CHIPS Act, NSF, DOE, state initiatives)
• Demonstrated ability to scale education or training programs across multiple institutions
• Experience working with public-private partnerships or industry consortia
• Program management capabilities, including metrics definition, ROI tracking, and governance frameworks
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable representing Synopsys in academic, government, and industry forums