CPU Performance Engineer, Platform Architecture

Apple Inc.; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a CPU Performance Engineer focused on the memory subsystem to advance single- and multi-threaded performance across Apple products.

You will work with CPU architecture and RTL teams to identify bottlenecks, validate ideas through modeling, and help drive next-generation iPhone, iPad, Mac, and server CPU designs. Required are a BS degree with CPU/SOC architecture experience, proficiency in C/C++, and scripting (Python/Perl).

Qualifications

• BS degree in a relevant field is required.
• Experience with CPU and SOC architecture and micro-architecture.
• Experience with performance simulation environments.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting (Python or Perl).
• Strong understanding of memory subsystem and performance bottlenecks.

Responsibilities

• Identify performance bottlenecks in single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads across product categories.
• Collaborate with CPU architecture and RTL teams to evaluate feasibility of ideas.
• Maintain and improve the simulation environment to enable data-driven decisions.
• Drive exploration for next-generation iPhone, iPad, Mac, and server CPU designs.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Performance modeling

Object-oriented programming

Python/Perl scripting

CPU/micro-architecture knowledge

Memory subsystem concepts

Education

BS degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science

MS or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science

Job description

Summary

The CPU Platform Architecture team is responsible for pushing the boundaries of both single-threaded and multi-threaded CPU performance, to enhance the user experience of many Apple products. The team is composed of experts with deep experience in microarchitecture, ISA definition, performance modeling, power modeling, and workload analysis. We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, and confident individual to join the CPU Platform Architecture team to help drive advanced exploration for next-generation iPhone, iPad, Mac, and server CPU designs.

Description

As a CPU Performance Engineer with a focus on the memory subsystem, you will be part of a team that is defining and optimizing CPU and cache micro-architecture. Working collaboratively, you will seek out areas of the design for improvement by identifying performance bottlenecks and evaluate ideas to address them. You will engage with experienced CPU and SoC designers in micro-architecture and RTL to assess the feasibility of ideas through modeling, refine ideas and model correlation, and seed new ideas. The role requires the analysis of single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads across existing and new product categories to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. We collaborate as a larger CPU architecture and performance team to maintain and improve the simulation environment to enable data- driven decisions and always look for ways to boost the productivity of the entire team.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree
• Experience in CPU and SOC architecture and micro-architecture
• Experience with performance simulation environments
• Object-oriented programming experience in C/C++
• Experience in a scripting language such as Perl or Python

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of memory latency tolerance techniques or other aspects of CPU memory subsystem (i.e. prefetching, caching policies)
• 3+ years of relevant industry experience
• MS or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering or Computer Science
• Understanding of common data structures and algorithms
• Familiarity with SIMD, vector, or accelerator architectures
• Familiarity with MP performance
• Comfortable in an environment of uncertainty and able to navigate through ambiguities
• Experience in a research-driven environment