Staff Software Engineer – Developer Tooling

**Job Title** Staff Software Engineer – Developer Tooling **Staff Software Engineer – Developer Tooling** At Cognichip, we are building the next-generation IDE to empower semiconductor design engineers with a 10x productivity boost through AI-native workflows and seamless integration with high-performance simulation engines. We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer with expertise in desktop application development (especially Electron/VS Code extensions) to join our IDE team. Unlike traditional web roles, this position focuses on developing and extending a VS Code–based IDE, creating deep integrations with AI, collaborative editing features, and advanced visualizations tailored for semiconductor design workflows. **Core Responsibilities** - Design, implement, and maintain VS Code extensions and Electron-based IDE features for the Cognichip platform. - Develop advanced IDE features such as AI-assisted coding, linting, collaborative editing, syntax highlighting, and domain-specific visualizations. - Integrate the IDE with backend microservices and APIs, ensuring seamless performance across distributed environments. - Build and optimize cross-platform desktop experiences (Windows, macOS, Linux). - Collaborate closely with designers to implement polished, intuitive UI/UX patterns inside the IDE. - Contribute to performance profiling, debugging, and optimizations to ensure a responsive and reliable user experience. - Guide junior developers towards best practices **Required Qualifications** - 10+ years of software engineering experience, with 4+ years in desktop application development (Electron, VS Code extensions, or similar IDE frameworks). - Strong proficiency in TypeScript, JavaScript, React, and ES6+. - Experience developing VS Code extensions or other plugin-based IDE architectures. - Solid understanding of state management (e.g., Redux, Zustand) and component-driven UI frameworks. - Knowledge of cross-platform application design (Windows, macOS, Linux). - Familiarity with performance profiling and optimization in IDE or desktop applications. - Experience with version control and CI/CD workflows (GitHub, Jenkins, etc.). **Preferred Qualifications** - Exposure to LLMs, AI-driven developer tools, or intelligent assistants inside IDEs. - Knowledge of Electron internals and packaging/distribution of desktop applications. - Experience with language parsers, syntax highlighting, lexical analysis, and editor/IDE UX patterns. - Experience implementing authentication, permissions, and role-based access in desktop apps. - Familiarity with semiconductor design tools or EDA workflows. **What We Offer** - Opportunity to shape the Cognichip IDE, a flagship product at the intersection of AI, semiconductor design, and developer productivity. - Competitive compensation package including equity. - Work alongside world-class engineers, scientists, and product designers. - Collaborative and innovative startup culture where your impact is direct and visible