Principal GPU Architect

European Tech Recruit; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

European Tech Recruit is seeking a Principal GPU Architect for a leading fabless semiconductor company in Cambourne. You will design and maintain cycle-accurate GPU models, drive architecture decisions, and collaborate with RTL, DV, driver and compiler teams to optimize performance and power.

The role requires 7+ years of experience in GPU architecture, strong modeling skills and proficiency in C/C++, SystemC or Python.

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering or related majors.
• 7+ years of industry experience.
• Experience in GPU, graphics, high performance compute, AI accelerator, or related architecture/modeling areas.
• Strong experience with performance and/or cycle accurate modeling, simulation frameworks, or architectural exploration for complex SoCs or accelerators.
• Solid understanding of graphics and compute APIs such as Vulkan, OpenGL, DirectX and/or GPU compute frameworks (e.g., OpenCL, CUDA, Metal).
• Proficiency in at least one modeling or implementation language (e.g., C/C++, SystemC, Python) and familiarity with scripting for data analysis and automation.
• Experience with performance analysis tools, profiling methodologies and workload characterization for games, benchmarks and/or GPU compute workloads.
• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical topics clearly and drive consensus across teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain cycle-accurate / performance / functional models of GPU subsystems (e.g., shader cores, fixed-function units, memory hierarchy, interconnect).
• Use modeling and profiling to explore architectural trade-offs (performance, power, area) and guide microarchitecture decisions.
• Analyze workloads (games, graphics benchmarks, GPU compute, AI/ML kernels) using simulation and hardware profiling to identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with model, RTL, DV, driver and compiler and performance teams to ensure architectural intent is correctly implemented, verified and tuned.
• Provide architectural input to compiler/driver/runtime teams to maximize utilization of GPU hardware through software optimizations.
• Develop methodologies, tools and automation flows for GPU performance estimation, capacity planning and regression analysis.
• Lead the debug and root cause analysis of performance, power and bandwidth issues observed in models, emulation and silicon.
• Drive cross-team technical discussions, present modeling results and architectural proposals, and influence roadmap decisions for next generation GPUs.

Skills

GPU architecture

Modeling & simulation

Performance optimization

C/C++ / SystemC / Python

Graphics APIs (Vulkan/OpenGL/DirectX)

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

BS/MS/PhD in CS/EE/CE

Tools

SystemC

CUDA/OpenCL

Python

Job description

European Tech Recruit are working closely with a leading fabless semiconductor company, based in Cambourne, who are looking for a talented Principal GPU Architect to join their team.

Responsibilities as Principal GPU Architect:

• Build and maintain cycle-accurate / performance / functional models of GPU subsystems (e.g., shader cores, fixed-function units, memory hierarchy, interconnect).
• Use modeling and profiling to explore architectural trade-offs (performance, power, area) and guide microarchitecture decisions.
• Analyze workloads (games, graphics benchmarks, GPU compute, AI/ML kernels) using simulation and hardware profiling to identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with model, RTL, DV, driver and compiler and performance teams to ensure architectural intent is correctly implemented, verified and tuned.
• Provide architectural input to compiler/driver/runtime teams to maximize utilization of GPU hardware through software optimizations.
• Develop methodologies, tools and automation flows for GPU performance estimation, capacity planning and regression analysis.
• Lead the debug and root cause analysis of performance, power and bandwidth issues observed in models, emulation and silicon.
• Drive cross-team technical discussions, present modeling results and architectural proposals, and influence roadmap decisions for next generation GPUs.

Required:

• BS, MS or PhD degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering or related majors.
• 7+ years of industry experience.
• Experience in GPU, graphics, high performance compute, AI accelerator, or related architecture/modeling areas.
• Strong experience with performance and/or cycle accurate modeling, simulation frameworks, or architectural exploration for complex SoCs or accelerators.
• Solid understanding of graphics and compute APIs such as Vulkan, OpenGL, DirectX and/or GPU compute frameworks (e.g., OpenCL, CUDA, Metal).
• Proficiency in at least one modeling or implementation language (e.g., C/C++, SystemC, Python) and familiarity with scripting for data analysis and automation.
• Experience with performance analysis tools, profiling methodologies and workload characterization for games, benchmarks and/or GPU compute workloads.
• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical topics clearly and drive consensus across teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with mobile/low power GPU design and power/performance trade off analysis.
• Background in compiler, driver, or runtime optimization for GPUs or accelerators.
• Familiarity with ML/AI workloads, DNN operators and their mapping onto GPU or accelerator architectures.
• Experience collaborating with silicon implementation, physical design and DV teams on performance and power sign off.

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