Principal CPU Performance Architect - CA, Santa Clara, United States
Originally posted 17 July 2026 by the employer.
About the role
This role is part of the CPU Performance Architecture team focused on improving CPU performance through microarchitectural design. The position works on core architecture targeting AI, gaming, and autonomous vehicle platforms.
What you'll do
- Innovate and improve CPU performance through modern microarchitectural ideas. - Model potential improvements to determine their merit and feasibility. - Implement solutions and collaborate with build, verification, and post-silicon validation teams. - Resolve critical issues related to timing, power, and area to achieve implementation targets. - Partner with lead microarchitects to meet CPU core performance, area, and power goals. - Advocate for microarchitectural concepts by communicating trade-offs and benefits across teams.
What you'll need
- Deep understanding of CPU microarchitecture and architecture. - Track record of CPU microarchitectural innovation across areas such as Front End CPU Uarch, Midcore CPU Uarch, or Memory Subsystem CPU Uarch. - Experience in performance modeling, debugging, and demonstrating the merit of microarchitectural ideas. - Experience collaborating with build and verification teams to implement microarchitectural improvements. - At least 16+ years of experience in a frontline role within CPU projects. - Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Skills: CPU microarchitecture, CPU performance, Front End CPU Uarc, modeling, verification, post-silicon validation
This role has been open 178 days — well above the 79-day median for SoC/Chip Architecture roles.
SoC/Chip Architecture · SOC Architecture
|
Open roles in category
477
|
Median days open
79 d
|
Median salary
$239k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | NVIDIA | All employers we track in this specialty (477 roles · 67 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 56 | 477 |
| Open roles in the wider Digital Design & Verification family | 239 | 3328 · 115 employers |
| Median days open | 66 d | 79 d (−13 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $239k |
Skills observed across this category: CPU microarchitecture, CPU performance, Front End CPU Uarc, modeling, verification, post-silicon validation
Who's hiring in this category
- Qualcomm · 80 open roles · median 83 d
- NVIDIA (this employer) · 56 open roles · median 67 d
- Apple · 37 open roles · median 17 d
- AMD · 36 open roles · median 74 d
- Arm Holdings · 27 open roles · median 122 d
- Micron Technology · 21 open roles · median 101 d
How we counted: 477 open SoC/Chip Architecture (SOC Architecture) roles from 67 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 25 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.