CPU Cores Global Performance Lead - TX, Austin, United States
Originally posted 31 August 2026 by the employer.
Lead CPU performance analysis and optimization efforts, particularly with x86-64 architecture.
About the role
You will work on processor technology and collaborate with Core Architecture and RTL teams to make AMD’s future CPU roadmap a reality.
What you'll do
- Own the end-to-end performance analysis and optimization for AMD’s CPU Cores.
- Partner with Core Architecture and RTL teams to deliver a high-performance CPU core that meets or exceeds program objectives.
- Manage performance modeling and analysis requirements across the entire AMD CPU Core roadmap.
- Represent the Performance Team and report regular progress towards program goals.
- Communicate program, organization, and company updates to the team.
What you'll need
- Extensive experience managing CPU performance analysis and optimization efforts and large teams.
- Working knowledge with all aspects of CPU performance, including Early Investigation, Core Architecture, Performance Modeling, Analysis and Correlation, and Post-Silicon Performance Validation.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with a track record of effective cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven experience in influencing senior decision-making and representing the organization in high-stakes external and internal forums.
- Rapid learner with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; excels at hypothesis-driven performance investigation and making timely, data-backed decisions.
- Hands-on experience with modern ISAs (e.g., x86-64, Armv8/Armv9, or RISC-V) in performance analysis and optimization contexts.
Nice to have
- Technical background in one or more areas of CPU performance: Performance Modeling, Architecture, Correlation, or Post-Silicon Performance Validation.
- Technical background in one or more traditional CPU units (e.g., Branch Prediction, Instruction Fetch, Decode, Execution, Scheduler, Floating Point, Load Store).
- Knowledge of x86 Architecture (ISA).
- System-level knowledge or experience (e.g., Memory Controller, IO).
- Demonstrated leadership development through formal training, coaching, mentorship, or practical management experience.
Skills: CPU performance analysis, Core Architecture, RTL teams, processor technology, performance modeling, Post-Silicon Performance Validation, x86-64
This role has been open 43 days — well below the 79-day median for SoC/Chip Architecture roles.
SoC/Chip Architecture · SOC Architecture
|
Open roles in category
453
|
Median days open
79 d
|
Median salary
$233k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | AMD | All employers we track in this specialty (453 roles · 63 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 35 | 453 |
| Open roles in the wider Digital Design & Verification family | 260 | 3192 · 115 employers |
| Median days open | 63 d | 79 d (−16 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $233k |
Skills observed across this category: CPU performance analysis, Core Architecture, RTL teams, processor technology, performance modeling, Post-Silicon Performance Validation
Who's hiring in this category
- Qualcomm · 71 open roles · median 85 d
- NVIDIA · 57 open roles · median 68 d
- AMD (this employer) · 34 open roles · median 63 d
- Apple · 34 open roles · median 8 d
- Arm Holdings · 27 open roles · median 111 d
- NXP Semiconductors · 21 open roles · median 113 d
How we counted: 453 open SoC/Chip Architecture (SOC Architecture) roles from 63 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 14 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Digital Design & Verification family row. Figures refresh nightly.