Embedded CPU Architect, Platform Architecture

Apple Inc.; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking an Embedded CPU Architect in Beaverton, Oregon. This role focuses on optimizing performance and efficiency for embedded CPUs used in various Apple products. The ideal candidate has a strong background in CPU architecture, performance analysis, and experience with programming languages like C and Python. Responsibilities include analyzing embedded workloads, collaborating with design teams, and implementing improvements for performance and power efficiency. Apple values diversity and inclusion in its workforce.

Qualifications

• Experience with CPU architecture or microarchitecture.
• Experience with performance analysis or optimization of workloads.
• Understanding of power-performance trade-offs in CPU designs.

Responsibilities

• Analyze performance characteristics of embedded workloads.
• Collaborate with system architecture and software teams.
• Work with CPU design team on proposed improvements.

Skills

CPU architecture or microarchitecture experience

Performance simulation environments

C, C++ programming

Scripting languages (Python, Perl)

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar

Tools

Performance models

Simulation environments

Job description

Embedded CPU Architect, Platform Architecture

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Embedded CPU Architect to join the Platform Architecture team. In this role, you will drive performance and efficiency optimization and architectural feature exploration for Apple’s embedded CPUs that power critical functions across Apple's product line.

Description

As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus will be on understanding the unique constraints and opportunities of varied embedded use cases and translating those insights into improvements for both the software stack as well as the hardware including the CPU and its surrounding subsystem. You will be responsible for deep‑dive performance analysis of embedded workloads, identifying bottlenecks in existing microarchitectures, and proposing optimization strategies that balance performance, power efficiency, and area. Working closely with algorithm teams, software engineers, and CPU designers, you will explore ISA extensions, microarchitecture enhancements, and system‑level optimizations tailored to embedded use cases. This role requires some background in software profiling, performance modeling, and simulation environments. You will use and develop analysis tools and infrastructure to enable data‑driven architectural decisions, create and analyze both real workloads and benchmarks representative of embedded workloads, and iterate with design teams to ensure ideas are implementable within power, timing, and area constraints.

Responsibilities

• Analyze performance characteristics of embedded workloads including real‑time processing, audio DSP, always‑on scenarios, and embedded ML inference
• Collaborate with system architecture and software teams to understand use case requirements that could be unique for each environment
• Translate findings into actionable improvements to our designs and software
• Work with CPU design team to implement proposed improvements while balancing tradeoffs for power, timing and area
• Provide feedback into and help develop performance models, simulators, and analysis tools used to support architectural exploration

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar
• CPU architecture or microarchitecture experience
• Experience with performance simulation environments, and performance analysis or optimization of workloads
• Experience with one or more of the following ISAs: ARM, RISC‑V, x86
• Experience in C, C++, or similar programming languages
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl for analysis and automation

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
• 20+ years of industry experience in CPU architecture or performance analysis
• Expertise in CPU microarchitecture in one or more of the following areas: branch prediction, prefetching, pipeline optimization, datapath, memory hierarchy
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: embedded ML workloads and inference engines, SIMD/vector architectures for signal processing or ML, or compiler infrastructure and toolchain development for embedded workloads
• Experience with real‑time operating systems and embedded software constraintsUnderstanding of: power‑performance trade‑offs in CPU designs, system‑level power management, and low‑power design techniques
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across hardware and software teams
• Experience taking architectural ideas from concept through implementation

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant