AI Performance Modeling Architect- CPU/SOC

Actalent; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Performance Modeling Architect to develop and maintain modeling frameworks that evaluate AI workloads and compute architectures. You will build analytical and simulation models to analyze system-level tradeoffs and quantify performance across hardware and software interactions.

Collaborating with hardware and software teams, you will model memory hierarchies, interconnects, and accelerator components, translate results into architectural insights, and help guide future

Qualifications

• Experience building performance models for AI workloads.
• Knowledge of memory hierarchies and interconnects.
• Experience with hardware-software co-design.
• Ability to translate models into architectural insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop system-level performance models for AI workloads and compute architectures.
• Build simulation frameworks capturing AI models, runtimes, and hardware.
• Model SoC components including compute units and interconnects.
• Incorporate software/runtime behavior to reflect realistic execution.
• Analyze bottlenecks and evaluate architectural tradeoffs.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams on workloads.
• Use modeling to evaluate performance, latency, throughput, and energy.

Skills

Computer architecture

System architecture

Performance modeling

Simulation modeling

Python

C++

AI accelerators

Performance analysis

Tools

Architectural simulators

Performance modeling tools

Job description

Job Title: Performance Modeling Architect

Job Description

We are seeking a Performance Modeling Architect to develop and maintain modeling and simulation frameworks that support architecture and design decisions for advanced computing platforms. In this role, you will create analytical and simulation models that evaluate interactions between complex workloads, software environments, and underlying hardware systems. These models will enable detailed assessment of system-level tradeoffs and performance characteristics across a range of architectural approaches. You will model processing architectures, platform components, software behavior, and overall system dynamics to provide insights into real-world performance outcomes. Working across hardware and software domains, you will help drive co-design efforts, assess design alternatives, and quantify impacts on performance, responsiveness, scalability, efficiency, and resource utilization. Your contributions will play a key role in shaping future high-performance computing and intelligent processing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop system-level performance models for AI workloads and compute architectures.
• Build simulation frameworks that capture interactions between AI models, software runtimes, and hardware systems.
• Model key components of SoC architecture including compute units, memory hierarchies, and interconnects.
• Incorporate relevant software and runtime behavior into modeling frameworks to reflect realistic system execution.
• Analyze system bottlenecks and evaluate architectural tradeoffs across the platform.
• Work closely with hardware architects to guide microarchitectural and system-level design decisions.
• Collaborate with software and ML teams to incorporate realistic workloads into modeling.
• Use modeling and simulation to evaluate performance, latency, throughput, and energy efficiency across target applications.

Essential Skills

• Strong experience in computer architecture, system architecture, or performance modeling.
• Experience building simulation or analytical models of complex hardware systems.
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, or similar) for modeling and simulation.
• Understanding of modern compute architectures such as CPUs, GPUs, or AI accelerators.
• Ability to analyze complex systems and identify performance bottlenecks.
• Strong quantitative reasoning and ability to translate models into architectural insights.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience modeling AI workloads or machine learning systems.
• Familiarity with architectural simulators or performance modeling tools.
• Experience with memory systems, interconnect architectures, or accelerator design.
• Exposure to hardware-software co-design methodologies.
• Experience modeling performance across multiple layers of the stack, including software runtimes and hardware platforms.

Work Environment

Work involves collaborating across hardware and software domains to drive co-design efforts. The role requires a strong understanding of computer architecture and involves using advanced simulation and analytical tools to evaluate system performance across various compute architectures. The work environment is dynamic and focused on innovation in high-performance computing and intelligent processing solutions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Raleigh, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $200000.00 - $500000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Will work on getting benefits next week in call

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Raleigh,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.