Senior CPU HW Performance Architect

Huawei Technologies Research & Development (UK) Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Huawei Technologies Research & Development UK Limited is seeking a Senior CPU Architect to drive next-generation CPU microarchitecture. You will lead performance modeling, workload analysis, and microarchitectural exploration in collaboration with cross-functional teams across hardware and software domains.

The role requires a PhD or a MS/BS with 5+ years of relevant experience, deep PPA trade-off knowledge, and strong C++/Python skills.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a PhD.
• Deep knowledge of CPU microarchitecture, focusing on areas such as fetch/decode, branch prediction, rename/dispatch, out-of-order execution, execution units, load/store, prefetching, or memory hierarchies.
• Solid understanding of performance, power, and area (PPA) trade-offs within high-performance CPU microarchitectures.
• Proficiency in advanced software engineering practices, performance profiling methodologies, and multi-language development (e.g., modern C++, Python).
• Strong analytical and debugging skills across complex systems.
• Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Microarchitecture Definition: Define next-generation CPU microarchitecture and high-level specifications in close partnership with cross-functional hardware and software teams.
• Performance Modeling & Simulation: Build and refine cycle-accurate and functional simulators to evaluate emerging microarchitectural concepts.
• Architecture Exploration & Trade-offs: Propose novel microarchitectural features and quantify PPA impacts to drive balanced design decisions.
• Workload & Sensitivity Analysis: Profile target workloads, analyze bottlenecks, and identify architectural sensitivities to steer core optimization.

Job description

About Huawei Research and Development UK Limited

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and operate in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; bring cloud and artificial intelligence to all four corners of the earth to provide superior computing power where you need it, when you need it; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the go.

This spirit of innovation has led Huawei to work in close partnership with leading academic institutions in the UK to develop and refine the latest technologies. With a shared commitment to innovation and progress, both parties have worked together to achieve common goals and establish a strong partnership. The partnership between UK and Huawei help to develop the technologies of the future that will transform the way we all communicate, work and live.

For the past 30 years we have maintained an unwavering focus, rejecting shortcuts and easy opportunities that don't align with our core business. With a practical approach to everything we do, we concentrate our efforts and invest patiently to drive technological breakthroughs.

This strategic focus is a reflection of our core values:

• Staying customer-centric,
• Inspiring dedication,
• Persevering,
• Growing by reflection.

Huawei Research and Development UK Limited Overview

Huawei’s vision is a fully connected, intelligent world. To achieve this, we work to inspire passion for basic research around the world. Our combined passion drives development across the global innovation value chain. Huawei has the largest Research and Development organization in the world with 96,000+ employees in research centers around the globe. In the UK, we already have design centers in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh and Ipswich. We continue to explore and define new research directions and new services. We have expanded our collaborations with academic researchers; researched new network architectures, integration of communications and key enabling technologies; and developed the fundamental theories of these technologies. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey and drive your career forward.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive next-generation high-performance CPU core development as a key member of the CPU Performance team. You will lead performance modeling, workload analysis, and microarchitectural exploration to guide critical design trade-offs across performance, power, and area (PPA).

• Microarchitecture Definition: Define next-generation CPU microarchitecture and high-level specifications in close partnership with cross-functional hardware and software teams.
• Performance Modeling & Simulation: Build and refine cycle-accurate and functional simulators to evaluate emerging microarchitectural concepts.
• Architecture Exploration & Trade-offs: Propose novel microarchitectural features and quantify PPA impacts to drive balanced design decisions.
• Workload & Sensitivity Analysis: Profile target workloads, analyze bottlenecks, and identify architectural sensitivities to steer core optimization.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of Huawei Research and Development UK Limited.

Required:

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a PhD.
• Deep knowledge of CPU microarchitecture, focusing on areas such as fetch/decode, branch prediction, rename/dispatch, out-of-order execution, execution units, load/store, prefetching, or memory hierarchies.
• Solid understanding of performance, power, and area (PPA) trade-offs within high-performance CPU microarchitectures.
• Proficiency in advanced software engineering practices, performance profiling methodologies, and multi-language development (e.g., modern C++, Python).
• Strong analytical and debugging skills across complex systems.
• Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Desired:

• Deep expertise in cutting-edge CPU architecture and microarchitecture.
• Track record of delivering microarchitectural innovations from concept to silicon.
• Hands-on experience with cycle-accurate simulators and performance models.
• Experience with pre-silicon performance analysis.
• Broad understanding of OS, compilers, and application-level workloads.
• Demonstrated leadership via patents, peer-reviewed publications, or notable industry impact.