Principal Engineer, CPU Architecture & Performance Research

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Principal, CPU Architecture & Performance Research Engineer

What You’ll Do

• Architecture Research Lab is seeking Principal CPU Architecture & Performance
• Engineer to lead the definition, analysis, and optimization of next-generation
• CPU microarchitectures (RISC-V core). This role is focused on end-to-end
• performance: from architectural trade-offs and workload characterization to
• micro-architectural modeling, simulation, and silicon bring-up correlation.
• You will work closely with architecture, design, compiler, and system teams to
• drive performance and efficiency across a broad set of real-world workloads
• Location: Daily onsite presence at our San Jose office in alignment with our
• Flexible Work policy
• Job ID: 42918
• * Define and evaluate CPU micro-architectural features for future cores
• (frontend, execution engine, memory hierarchy, interconnect).
• * Lead performance analysis using simulators, RTL.
• * Help develop and validate performance models (cycle-accurate, trace-driven,
• statistical).
• * Characterize workloads (SPEC, server, client, AI/ML, cloud, internal traces)
• and translate findings into architectural requirements.
• * Identify performance bottlenecks and propose data-driven optimizations.
• * Drive architecture-to-implementation alignment with design team.
• * Collaborate with compiler, OS, and system architects on cross-stack
• performance issues.
• * Mentor senior and staff engineers; provide technical leadership across
• projects.
• * Work leading to patents and publication
• What You Bring
• * Master’s with 18+ years of experience in Computer Engineering, Computer
• Science, or related field.
• * or PhD with 15+ years of experience preferred.
• * 10+ years of experience in CPU microarchitecture and/or performance
• engineering.
• * Experience with RISC-V, ARM or X86 architectures.
• * Strong understanding of:
• * Out-of-order execution, branch prediction, pipelines, and speculation
• * Cache coherence, memory systems, prefetching, and NUMA effects
• * Hands-on experience with architectural simulators (like gem5).
• * Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python.
• * Familiarity with compiler optimizations and hardware/software co-design.
• * Familiarity with SIMD / Vectors / VME for AI inference workloads.
• * Experience analyzing large performance datasets and traces.
• * Proven ability (Tapeout / Patents /Publications) to influence architecture /
• micro architectural decisions through quantitative analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• * Background in power/performance/area (PPA) trade-off analysis.
• * Experience with SIMD/Vectors.
• * Experience with compiler optimizations and hardware/software co-design.
• * Prior technical leadership at Senior Staff or Principal level.
• * You’re inclusive, adapting your style to the situation and diverse global
• norms of our people.
• * You approach challenges with curiosity and resilience, seeking data to help
• build understanding.
• * You’re collaborative, building relationships, humbly offering support and
• openly welcoming approaches.
• * Innovative and creative, you proactively explore new ideas and adapt quickly
• to change.
• #LI-SF1
• What We Offer
• The pay range below is for all roles at this level across all US locations and
• functions. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on
• job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer incentive
• opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company
• performance.
• This is in addition to our diverse package of benefits centered around the
• wellbeing of our employees and their loved ones. In addition to the usual
• Medical/Dental/Vision/401k, our inclusive rewards plan empowers our people to
• care for their whole selves. An investment in your future is an investment in
• ours.
• Give Back With a charitable giving match and frequent opportunities to get
• involved, we take an active role in supporting the community.
• Enjoy Time Away You’ll start with 4+ weeks of paid time off a year, plus
• holidays and sick leave, to rest and recharge.
• Care for Family Whatever family means to you, we want to support you along the
• way—including a stipend for fertility care or adoption, medical travel support,
• and virtual vet care for your fur babies.
• Prioritize Emotional Wellness With on-demand apps and free confidential therapy
• sessions, you’ll have support no matter where you are.
• Stay Fit Eating well and being active are important parts of a healthy life. Our
• onsite Café and gym, plus virtual classes, make it easier.
• Embrace Flexibility Benefits are best when you have the space to use them.
• That’s why we facilitate a flexible environment so you can find the right
• balance for you.
• Base Pay Range
• $219,000—$351,000 USD
• Equal Opportunity Employment Policy
• Samsung Semiconductor takes pride in being an equal opportunity workplace
• dedicated to fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued and
• empowered to excel, regardless of race, religion, color, age, disability, sex,
• gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic information, marital
• status, national origin, political affiliation, or veteran status.
• When selecting team members, we prioritize talent and qualities such as
• humility, kindness, and dedication. We extend comprehensive accommodations
• throughout our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long-term
• conditions, neurodivergent individuals, or those requiring pregnancy-related
• support. All candidates scheduled for an interview will receive guidance on
• requesting accommodations.
• Our Commitment to Innovation and Fairness
• At Samsung Semiconductor, we use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the
• recruitment process to enhance efficiency. However, AI is used as a support
• tool, not a final decision-maker. All hiring decisions are made by our human
• recruiting team and hiring managers to ensure every candidate is evaluated
• fairly and holistically.
• Recruiting Agency Policy
• We do not accept unsolicited resumes. Only authorized recruitment agencies that
• have a current and valid agreement with Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. are
• permitted to submit resumes for any job openings.
• Applicant AI Use Policy
• At Samsung Semiconductor, we support innovation and technology. However, to
• ensure a fair and authentic assessment, we ask that candidates rely on their own
• knowledge and skills throughout the process. AI tools may be used for basic
• preparation, grammar, and research, but should not be used to generate or assist
• with submitted content or live interview responses. If we determine that AI is
• being used outside these guidelines, we reserve the right to pause or end the
• interview, and your candidacy may be disqualified.
• Trade Secret Notice
• By submitting an application, you agree not to disclose to Samsung—or encourage
• Samsung to use—any confidential or proprietary information (including trade
• secrets) belonging to a current or former employer or other entity.
• Applicant Privacy Policy
• https://semiconductor.samsung.com/about-us/careers/us/privacy/