Cadence Design Systems Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Test
Experience: Basic questions, testing normal knowledge
Total Questions: 50

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: 20 minutes, 5 questions ? Scheduling, real-time OS, and file system based questions ? Asked some in depth questions about file-handling in Linux ? C++ - IBM site tutorials, C-FAQ for C coding tutorials ? One puzzle, regarding number of rectangles on a chessboard, and some more typical questions asked in technical interviews

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Family and educational background ? Tell me about yourself ? Went a little in-depth into Linux. ? Main concern: will you join or not
Tips: Over all preparation in C, DSP course, OS and course in networking helps. ? Also, for HR interview, know about the company, PPT and website.

Round: Test
Experience: The Quant and Programming sections were long but fairly easy; I pretty much sailed through them. However, the core EC section was really lengthy and not so easy, and also had negative marking. I was able to complete the first 2 sections completely, and around 11/20 questions in the core section.
The Quant section touched basic topics like probability, algebra and simple geometry. Programming questions were quite syntax-based, rather than algorithm-based. In the core section, the focus was on device physics and digital electronics, including combinational/sequential circuits and microprocessors.
Tips: 1. Practice Quantitative sections. A LOT. Speed is of the essence in these sections, because almost everyone is on the same level as you are where mathematics is concerned.
2. Know the basic syntax of C++, that is the most common language you're tested on in the Programming section. Also know simple data structures and complexity calculations.
3. The core section is the most important one, so make sure your knowledge is sound and practice solving digital circuits as fast as you can.
4. The EC section is generally quite lengthy, so quickly flip through the questions once and then figure out what questions you can do for sure, finish those and then start on the remaining ones. DO NOT STAY ON ONE QUESTION FOR TOO LONG, because you won't even be able to haphazardly guess on the other questions because of the negative marking.
Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 50

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: I had only one round of technical interview. The interviewer was a person who'd worked at Qualcomm for around 5 years, as a Senior Engineer. The questions were not too tough, but challenging enough that you had to be quick at circuit evaluations. I wasn't able to solve all the questions completely, but talking aloud really helped, the interviewer himself would pass on hints or correct me sometimes if I went too far off on a tangent.
All in all, the interview lasted for about 45 minutes and was tiring but really fun if you like EC. For the first time, I realized that I actually knew electronics after studying it for 4 years! ;)
Tips: 1. Many people must have said this to you, but I'll say it again: Don't be too nervous. The questions are asked in such a way that you will definitely not be able to do all of them, so don't freak if you miss something here and there, they know it too!
2. Make sure you have the basics of logic gates, sequential design and digital VLSI circuits down pat when you're preparing for the interview. These are the main areas they are looking for in the VLSI Electronics interviews. Apart from these, a knowledge of Computer Architecture and basic VLSI CAD wouldnn't hurt!
3. I can't emphasize this enough: Talk out when thinking. It is very important for the interviewers to know what kind of technical logic you use when working out problems, and most often they start talking with you, which leads to an insightful discussion rather than a Q&A session.
4. Make sure your interest in the field also comes across; as far as I saw, they're looking for people who actually like EC and will be able to work hours together without getting bored of it (Well, not too much :P)

Round: HR Interview
Experience: The HR interview wasn't really an interview; it was more of a 15-minute discussion with an HR person. He was basically looking to see whather I would be able to fit into a team-oriented work environment and add something to it, that's all. Apart from that, there was mostly a discussion on the package breakdown, and the kind of work and teams we could be involved with in Qualcomm.
Tips: 1. Know something about Qualcomm, so that you're able to answer the first question they'll mostly ask.
2. This round is set to get to know you, so clear all your doubts and ask as many questions as you want.
3. Once again, try to express your interest in working in the field of electronics; if your passion shows, this round is pretty much cleared!

General Tips: 1. Be sure you're interested in EC before applying to Qualcomm for the VLSI profile.
2. For the test, speed is of the essence; practice solving different question sets in as less time as possible.
3. For the interview(s), don't be nervous, talk aloud, and have a sound technical base to build upon.
Skills: Digital Circuits, VLSI Technology, Low-Power Electronics, EC Device Physics, VLSI Circuit Design, Basic Programming
College Name: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Motivation: I've always been interested in Electronics, ever since I studied the 8085 Microprocessor in the 12th Grade. Even when I joined IITKGP, I changed my Department to Electronics after my first year, because that's what I wanted to study!
Circuit design is one of the most interesting and challenging fields in today's electronics field, and I would love to see what happens, and be a part of it. Especially since right now we're on the verge of a big change - we're close to moving away from silicon-based designs; what happens next?

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - don't try to elaborate the answer be precise and clear about your answers.

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Be confident. Focus more on Operating system concepts apart of DS algo.