Senior Principal CPU Architect | MRL Consulting

MRL Consulting Group Ltd.; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MRL Consulting Group Ltd. in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior Principal CPU Architect to lead next-generation CPU architecture development. You will drive ISA extensions, co-design with compiler, OS and app teams, and oversee cycle-accurate modelling using C++, Python and simulation frameworks.

The role shapes hardware/software collaboration for high-performance computing and AI workloads. The ideal candidate has 12+ years in CPU architecture, MS/PhD, and deep expertise in OoO, caches, memory

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Engineering, CS, EE, or related field.
• 12+ years of industry experience in CPU architecture.
• Expertise in OoO execution, branch prediction, caches, and coherency.
• Strong ISA design and memory consistency knowledge.
• Experience with performance tools (VTune, Perf).
• Hands-on with cycle-accurate simulators (C/C++, Python; e.g., gem5).

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and pathfinding for next-generation CPU microarchitectures.
• Define and evolve ISA extensions and innovative compute capabilities.
• Analyse emerging workloads and translate performance requirements into architectural solutions.
• Drive hardware/software co-design with compiler, OS and application teams.
• Oversee cycle-accurate architectural modelling using C++, Python and simulation frameworks.
• Influence technical roadmaps, standards and future CPU architecture strategies.

Skills

CPU architecture

Pathfinding

Performance profiling

Simulation

Co-design

Education

MS or PhD in Computer/EE

Tools

VTune

Perf

gem5

C/C++

Python

LLVM/GCC

Job description

Senior Principal CPU Architect

We are recruiting on behalf of our client, a leading global technology and R&D organisation, for a Senior Principal CPU Architect to lead the definition and development of next-generation high-performance CPU architectures.

This is a highly strategic technical role focused on CPU architecture, ISA development and hardware/software co-design for emerging workloads including Generative AI, LLMs, graph analytics and confidential computing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and pathfinding for next-generation CPU microarchitectures.

• Define and evolve ISA extensions and innovative compute capabilities.

• Analyse emerging workloads and translate performance requirements into architectural solutions.

• Drive hardware/software co-design with compiler, OS and application teams.

• Oversee cycle-accurate architectural modelling using C++, Python and simulation frameworks.

• Influence technical roadmaps, standards and future CPU architecture strategies.

About You

• MS or PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.

• 12+ years' industry experience in CPU architecture and pathfinding.

• Proven expertise in high-performance CPU development, including OoO execution, branch prediction, speculative execution, cache hierarchies and coherency.

• Strong understanding of ISA design, memory consistency, exceptions and virtualisation.

• Experience with workload profiling and performance tools such as VTune and Perf.

• Strong hands-on experience developing cycle-accurate simulators using C/C++ and Python, such as gem5.

• Experience delivering multiple high-performance CPU silicon designs is highly desirable.

• Knowledge of LLVM/GCC, RISC-V or advanced packaging technologies would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior CPU architect to shape future‑generation processor technology, with significant technical influence across architecture, software and silicon development.