SoC Performance Architect (Server CPU) - PhD New Grads Welcome!

Technology, Data & Digital · Software & Web Development · Software Engineering · Software Architecture · Data Engineering

In short

We are seeking a SoC Performance Architect to lead server CPU workload analysis, performance modeling, competitive projection, and optimization. This role focuses on end-to-end system performance for complex server workloads, identifying bottlenecks across the compute stack, and driving improvements in CPU, memory, interconnect, I/O, firmware, OS, compiler, and application behavior. The ideal candidate combines deep architectural expertise with analytical rigor and hands-on performance debugging experience.

Responsibilities

  • Define performance methodologies, metrics, and KPI frameworks for consistent workload tracking and feature evaluation.
  • Conduct hardware/software sensitivity studies.
  • Perform bottleneck analysis across CPU cores, cache hierarchy, memory subsystem/controllers, on-chip fabric, and I/O.
  • Use profiling and PMU tools to capture hotspots, call stacks, CPI breakdowns, memory behavior, and microarchitectural stall data.
  • Build analytical and empirical models for workload behavior, scaling, and feature sensitivity.
  • Develop performance projections for internal roadmap products and external competitors.
  • Identify and prioritize optimization opportunities; drive cross-functional execution with architecture, design, compiler, OS, firmware, and application teams.
  • Communicate findings, tradeoffs, and product implications to technical and executive stakeholders.

Requirements

  • PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Deep understanding of CPU microarchitecture, including pipelines, out-of-order execution, branch prediction, caches, prefetching, SMT, and performance bottlenecks.
  • Strong knowledge of SoC architecture, including on-chip interconnect/fabric, memory controllers, DRAM systems, coherency, and I/O subsystems.
  • Strong understanding of OS and compiler behavior, including scheduling, memory management, synchronization, code generation, optimization, and runtime effects on performance.
  • Hands-on experience with industry-standard performance analysis and profiling tools.
  • Experience enabling and debugging complex server workloads in Linux environments.
  • Strong scripting and data analysis skills for handling large profiling datasets and developing performance models.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with pre-silicon performance modeling, simulation, or trace-based analysis.
  • Familiarity with PMU-based top-down analysis, CPI decomposition, memory subsystem analysis, and sensitivity modeling.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Opportunity for annual RSU grants.
  • Highly competitive benefits package designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play.
  • Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an accessible process and workplace.

Skills

CPU microarchitectureSoC architectureLinuxPythonperformance modelingperformance analysisprofiling toolsPower SystemShared Resource ManagementLimits/Thermal ManagementHardware Islands
#SoC#Performance Architect#Server CPU#PhD#New Grads#Early Career#Computer Engineering#Electrical Engineering#Computer Science#System Architecture
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About Qualcomm

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Enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected.\n\n

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Company

Qualcomm

Job Posted

4 days ago

Employment Type

Full Time

Work mode

On Site

Salary

US$147,900–221,900 / year

Experience Level

Mid-Senior

Locations

Santa Clara, United States of America

Qualification

Doctoral, Master, Bachelor

Applicants

Be an early applicant