Principal GPU Architect

European Tech Recruit; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

European Tech Recruit is partnering with a leading fabless semiconductor company in Cambourne to hire a Principal GPU Architect. You will build cycle-accurate models of GPU subsystems, profile workloads, and guide microarchitecture decisions while collaborating with RTL, DV, driver, and compiler teams to ensure architectural intent is realized in silicon and software.

You will drive performance estimation methods, lead cross-team discussions, and contribute to roadmap decisions for

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering or related majors.
• 7+ years of industry experience.
• Experience in GPU, graphics, HPC, 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 modeling or implementation languages (e.g., C/C++, SystemC, Python) and 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 (shader cores, memory hierarchy, interconnect).
• Use modeling and profiling to explore architectural trade-offs and guide microarchitecture decisions.
• Analyze workloads using simulation and hardware profiling to identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.
• Collaborate with model, RTL, DV, driver and compiler teams to ensure architectural intent is implemented and tuned.
• Provide architectural input to compiler/driver/runtime teams to maximize GPU utilization through software optimizations.
• Develop methodologies, tools and automation flows for GPU performance estimation and regression analysis.
• Lead debug and root cause analysis of performance, power and bandwidth issues in models, emulation and silicon.
• Drive cross-team technical discussions, present modeling results and influence roadmap decisions for next-gen GPUs.

Skills

GPU architecture

Modeling & simulation

Performance profiling

Cross-team collaboration

Communication

C/C++

Python

Graphics APIs

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in CS/EE/CE

Tools

SystemC

Profiling tools

Simulation frameworks

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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