CPU Micro-architect

Samsung Electronics Perú; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 251,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401(k)

Onsite lunch

Employee Purchase Program

Tuition Assistance

Paid Time Off

Student Loan Program

Wellness Incentives

MBO Bonus Compensation

Long Term Incentive Plan

Relocation

Job summary

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. is seeking a skilled CPU Micro-architect to help shape next-generation processors for AI, HPC, and edge devices. You will optimize OoO cores, evaluate pipelines, branch prediction, and cache/TLB hierarchies, and collaborate with performance teams to align simulations with silicon data.

The role demands extensive CPU architecture expertise and strong modeling skills. The team at SARC/ACL focuses on IP and memory controllers powering Exynos SoCs, delivering

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or 8+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree, or 6+ years of experience with a Ph.D.
• Extensive background in CPU microarchitecture design, with a strong understanding of computer architecture principles, including pipelining, superscalar design, cache hierarchies, coherency, and multi-core systems.
• Proficiency in reading – and writing as needed – hardware description languages (Verilog/SV) and programming languages (C++, Python) for modeling and simulation.

Responsibilities

• Shape next-generation processors for AI, HPC, and edge devices.
• Explore features and optimize OoO CPU core microarchitecture.
• Improve benchmarks and real-use-case performance (IPC, power/area) of SOTA OoO cores across pipelines, branch prediction, prefetching, and cache/TLB hierarchies.
• Collaborate with performance simulation team to model microarchitecture of the SOTA core.
• Correlate simulation results against silicon measurements and perform root cause analysis to ensure model accuracy.
• Explore ISA extensions and vector/memory safety features to drive performance and reliability improvements.
• Identify/resole performance bottlenecks via modeling and prototyping.
• Develop performance models and micro testbenches to validate CPUs’ features.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners for seamless design integration.

Skills

CPU microarchitecture

Pipelining

Superscalar design

Cache hierarchies

Coherency

Multi-core systems

Performance analysis

Modeling

Optimization

Arm ISA (Armv8/v9)

Equivalent ISAs (x86/RISC-V)

Verilog/SystemVerilog

C++

Python

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Master’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Ph.D. in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog

C++

Python

Job description

Position Summary

Samsung, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, is founded on a simple philosophy - the endless pursuit of excellence will create a better world for all.

At Samsung Austin Research and Development Center (SARC) and Advanced Computing Lab (ACL), we are building a center of excellence for Intellectual Property (IP) that is applied to high-performance computing devices consumed by millions of people around the world. Come build with us!

Role and Responsibilities

• We are seeking a talented CPU Micro-architect to join our team, where you will play a pivotal part in shaping next-generation processors for AI, high-performance computing, and edge devices.
• In this role, you will be responsible for exploring new features and optimizing the microarchitecture of high performance OoO CPU cores.
• Improve the benchmarks and real-use-case performance (IPC, power/area efficiency) of a state of the art (SOTA) OoO CPU core, covering all aspects of the micro-architecture, including core pipelines, branch prediction, prefetching, and cache/TLB hierarchy.
• Work with the performance simulation team to model the microarchitecture of the SOTA core.
• Correlate simulation results against silicon measurement data, and perform thorough root cause analysis and debugging to identify, diagnose, and rectify any discrepancies, ensuring model accuracy and reliability.
• Explore new features and ISA extensions (e.g., vector extensions, memory safety features, security enhancements, etc.) to drive performance enhancements, optimizing efficiency, reliability, and protection.
• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks through modeling and prototyping.
• Develop performance models (as needed) and micro testbenches to improve and validate key performance features in the CPUs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure seamless integration of designs.

Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or 8+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree, or 6+ years of experience with a Ph.D.
• Extensive background in CPU microarchitecture design, with a strong understanding of computer architecture principles, including pipelining, superscalar design, cache hierarchies, coherency, and multi-core systems.
• Strong experience in performance analysis, modeling, and optimization, as well as common mobile benchmarks like GB6 and SpecInt17, and real use cases such as games and web browsing.
• Familiarity with Arm ISA (Armv8/v9) and extensions, or equivalent ISAs (x86 and RISC-V), and their impact on microarchitecture.
• Proficiency in reading – and writing as needed – hardware description languages (Verilog/SV) and programming languages (C++, Python) for modeling and simulation.
• Ability to correlate simulation performance results against hardware performance metrics (cache misses, TLB misses, pipeline stalls) to ensure optimal performance.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

Our Team

The System IP & SoC Architecture team at SARC/ACL designs proprietary coherent interconnects and memory controllers that power Exynos SoCs for Samsung’s premium consumer devices. We play a critical role in shaping the technology roadmap, delivering scalable, performance- and power-optimized IP solutions that support advanced system modeling and real-world applications such as gaming and computational photography. With scalability and efficiency at the core of our designs, our IP integrates seamlessly into complex semiconductor products, enabling cutting-edge memory subsystem capabilities across diverse market segments. Joining our team means collaborating alongside talented engineers from diverse technical backgrounds across a global organization. You’ll have the opportunity to build next-generation technologies, broaden your expertise, and solve impactful challenges in a supportive environment built on collaboration, continuous learning, and growth.

Total Rewards

At Samsung – SARC/ACL, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role.

The base pay range for this role is between $151,000 and $251,800.

Your actual base pay will depend on variables that may include your education skills, qualifications, experience, and work location.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• 401(k)
• onsite lunch
• employee purchase program
• tuition assistance (after 6 months)
• paid time off
• student loan program
• wellness incentives
• many more
• MBO bonus compensation
• eligible to participate in long term incentive plan and relocation

This is an exempt position, which is not eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

U.S. Export Control

This position requires the ability to access information subject to U.S. export control restrictions. Applicants must have the ability to access export-controlled information or be eligible to receive a government authorization to access export-controlled information.

Trade Secrets

By submitting an application, you [applicant] agree[s] not to disclose to Samsung, or induce Samsung to use, any confidential or proprietary information (including trade secrets) belonging to any current or previous employer or other person or entity.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to employing a diverse workforce, and provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Samsung Electronics is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, and network systems, and the entire semiconductor industry with our memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. Samsung is also leading in the development of the Internet of Things through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. Since being established in 1969, Samsung Electronics has grown into one of the world’s leading technology companies, and become recognized as one of the top global brands. Our network now extends across the world, and Samsung takes great pride in the creativity and diversity of its talented people, who drive our growth. To discover more, please visit our official newsroom at (https://news.samsung.com/global/).