Cycle-Accurate CPU Modeling Lead

NUVACORE; Canada; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuvacore is building a ground-up CPU silicon for next-generation compute workloads. As our CPU Performance Modeling Lead, you will own the performance modeling infrastructure and methodology that drives every architectural decision we make — from early pathfinding through tape-out and post-silicon correlation.

The role leads architecture exploration across frontend, OOO execution, and memory subsystems, and collaborates closely with design, verification, compiler, and OS teams to ensure

Qualifications

• MS in Computer Architecture, Computer Engineering, or related field (PhD preferred).
• 20+ years (Lead) or 8+ years (ICs) in CPU microarchitecture and/or performance engineering.
• 20+ years (Lead) or 8+ years (ICs) of hands-on experience with cycle-accurate CPU simulators.
• Strong expertise in at least one core CPU domain (branch prediction, fetch/decode, OOO, memory systems).
• Fluent C++ and scripting (Python/Perl); ability to analyze assembly for microarchitectural tests.
• Proven track record from design exploration to silicon correlation and post-Si debugging.
• Experience with RISC-V, ARM64, or x86 ISAs; co-design and power/performance/area thinking.
• Experience developing trace-based and execution-driven simulators.

Responsibilities

• Own Nuvacore’s cycle-accurate CPU performance simulator: architecture, fidelity, and long-term roadmap.
• Lead microarchitectural exploration across frontend, OOO engine, and memory subsystem.
• Drive model-to-RTL correlation; debug performance miscorrelation between model, RTL, and post-silicon results.
• Collaborate with design, verification, compiler, and system software teams to align architecture with constraints.
• Mentor engineers on modeling methodology, simulation infrastructure, and analysis tooling.
• Contribute to IP development through patents and external publications where applicable.

Skills

CPU microarchitecture

Performance engineering

C++

Python

Perl

RTL correlation

Education

MS in Computer Architecture

PhD preferred

Tools

gem5

In-house tools

Job description

Nuvacore is building a ground-up CPU silicon for next-generation compute workloads. As our CPU Performance Modeling Lead, you will own the performance modeling infrastructure and methodology that drives every architectural decision we make — from early pathfinding through tape-out and post-silicon correlation.

The role leads architecture exploration across frontend, OOO execution, and memory subsystems, and collaborates closely with design, verification, compiler, and OS teams to ensure