Senior Performance Modelling Engineer (CPU group)

Arm Limited; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Arm is seeking a Sr CPU Performance Modelling Engineer to join UK CPU engineering teams to define and deliver performance and power metrics for next‑generation CPUs, while evaluating workloads and refining methodologies to stay best in class.

You will mentor junior engineers and collaborate across global teams to refine shared practices, driving improvements across emulation, simulation, and data analysis for efficient design.

Qualifications

• Strong grasp of CPU micro-architecture concepts (pipelines, caches, predictors, MMUs).
• Hands-on experience with low-level embedded C or assembly for coding, testing, optimisation, and debugging.
• Proficiency in Linux environments with strong scripting skills (Shell, Python, or Perl)

Responsibilities

• Analyse and report CPU/IP performance across the full development cycle.
• Collaborate with designers and performance engineers to improve power, performance, and area (PPA) of IPs.
• Develop and enhance infrastructure that employs emulators, simulators, and FPGAs to evaluate performance and power.
• Provide actionable insights to customers, architects, and marketing teams on how IPs perform across different scenarios and use cases.

Skills

CPU micro-architecture

Embedded C

Assembly

Linux scripting

Education

Computer Science / Electronic Engineering degree

Tools

Verilog

VHDL

RTL simulators

Job description

The Future of AI is Built on Arm. Are you fascinated by how cutting-edge CPUs are engineered to power every corner of the technology world? Do you want to contribute to the momentum that’s transforming how people work, play, and connect?

At Arm, your work will impact billions of lives. If you’re passionate about building technology that powers everything from smartphones to supercomputers, we’d love to meet you!

As a Sr CPU Performance Modelling Engineer, you’ll be at the heart of designing Arm’s power-efficient CPUs for the next generation of workloads. You’ll define and deliver critical performance and power metrics, apply innovative analysis techniques, and uncover opportunities to push processor and cache performance even further. Beyond engineering, you’ll also play a key role in mentoring junior engineers and collaborating across global teams to refine and optimise our shared practices.

Job Overview:

You’ll join forces with CPU engineering teams across the UK to evaluate and enhance the performance features of world-class micro architectures. Working with workloads that mirror what future CPUs will run, you’ll continuously evolve our methodologies to ensure they remain best-in-class.

If you’re excited by the idea of peering under the hood of CPUs, understanding their inner workings, and pushing their limits, this role is for you. It’s an exceptional opportunity to be part of a world-leading CPU performance optimisation team.

Responsibilities:

• Analyse and report CPU/IP performance across the full development cycle.
• Collaborate with designers and performance engineers to improve power, performance, and area (PPA) of IPs.
• Develop and enhance infrastructure that employs emulators, simulators, and FPGAs to evaluate performance and power.
• Provide actionable insights to customers, architects, and marketing teams on how IPs perform across different scenarios and use cases.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Strong grasp of CPU micro-architecture concepts (pipelines, caches, predictors, MMUs).
• Hands-on experience with low-level embedded C or assembly for coding, testing, optimisation, and debugging.
• Proficiency in Linux environments with strong scripting skills (Shell, Python, or Perl)

Nice To Have Skills and Experience:

• Solid background in CPU performance analysis using industry benchmarks.
• Familiarity with HDL languages (Verilog/VHDL) and RTL simulator/emulator environments.
• Exposure to hardware design and/or CPU performance modelling.
• Understanding of the Arm instruction set architecture and assembly language.
• Familiarity with compilers and code generation techniques.
• Broader knowledge of system architecture.
• A strong academic background with a degree in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, or a related field.

In Return:

Arm is committed to global talent acquisition, offering an attractive relocation package. With offices around the world, Arm is a diverse organisation of dedicated, creative and talented engineers. By enabling a dynamic, inclusive, meritocratic, and open workplace, where all our people can grow and succeed, we encourage our people to share their unrivaled contributions to Arm's success in the global marketplace.

Additional Information:

Please note that no relocation package is available for this role.

If skilled worker sponsorship is required, Arm will meet costs associated with sponsorship for the employer only. All fees associated with the individual’s application e.g. visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, will be the responsibility of the successful candidate.

Accommodations at Arm

At Arm, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email [e-mail]. To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by Arm to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of support include breaks between interviews, having documents read aloud, or office accessibility. Please email us about anything we can do to accommodate you during the recruitment process.

Hybrid Working at Arm

Arm’s approach to hybrid working is designed to create a working environment that supports both high performance and personal wellbeing. We believe in bringing people together face to face to enable us to work at pace, whilst recognizing the value of flexibility. Within that framework, we empower groups/teams to determine their own hybrid working patterns, depending on the work and the team’s needs. Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution. Please talk to us to find out more about what this could look like for you.

Equal Opportunities at Arm

Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.