they may consider their current offerings to be "next gen"
The actual job description mentions "Knowledge on latest technology node (FinFETs, 20nm, 16nm) is a plus".
Granted, thats not definitive, but common sense dictates this cant be for the current design. You wouldnt go through the process of hiring a new lead engineer at this late stage, that makes no sense whatsoever; With time this critical it could never yield a better result than continuing with the team you have. A qualified new lead engineer is not likely found and able to start working the next day, if you publish this job posting today, you probably wont have anyone working for you for another 3 months. So even if your entire team died in a plane crash, you would still rather contract a company that has a well oiled team in place, instead of hiring people and building your own.
Mind you, its entirely possible their schedule is slipping, but these job openings have nothing to do with it.
Maybe there was some trouble in paradise?
With respect to the initially announced close cooperation with OpenSilicon it makes absolutely no sense to hire these kind of engineers, neither for the development/implementation of the actual gen nor the next gen. They are not required for the pure system competence and these kind of tasks (especially the physical implementation) should be outsourced to a partner with an experienced implementation team for which after tape-out is before tape-out.
Maybe OpenSilicon just realized how high the Cointerra margins finally could be, tried to renegotiate and got too greedy? Took the design as hostage and said no tape-out before we agree on higher royalties!
Sorry, probably just some funny FUD!