SoC Performance Architect

Samsung Semiconductor; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Samsung Semiconductor seeks an experienced SoC Performance Architect to lead modeling and analysis of next-generation mobile SoC architectures. You will build models for CPU, GPU, ISP, and NPU, evaluating feature sets and workloads across smartphone platforms.

The role requires strong architecture foundation, leadership, and experience with system-level modeling. You’ll work across teams to optimize use cases like gaming and camera processing, enabling cutting-edge memory subsystem capabilities

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or 4+ years with a Master’s, or 1+ with a Ph.D.
• Proficient in architectural modeling and performance analysis with analytical models or cycle-accurate simulators
• Excellent software development skills with C/C++, Python
• Experience with CPU, GPU, accelerators or memory systems microarchitecture
• Ability to integrate internal/external IP models on a full system-level framework
• Understanding of Arm architecture and memory subsystem design
• Build SoC architecture models to analyze end-to-end performance; Experience with gem5
• Knowledge of high performance, high efficiency design
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Build and develop complex SoC performance models including CPU, GPU, ISP, NPU – smartphone/mobile platforms
• Perform high-level performance modeling and analysis of hardware features, apps, benchmarks, and complex use cases
• Analyze impact of system-level architectural trade-offs (CPU, GPU, NPU, ISP, memory subsystems)
• Leverage data-driven approach to drive consensus around architectural proposals
• Collaborate with teams to optimize critical use cases including gaming and camera applications

Skills

SoC modeling

C/C++

Python

Architectural analysis

CPU/GPU/ISP/NPU

gem5

Arm architecture

system-level framework

communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s in CS/Engineering

Master’s in CS/Engineering

PhD (optional)

Tools

gem5

cycle-accurate simulators

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

As a SoC Performance Architect, you will primarily be responsible for driving the modeling and analysis of new SoC architectures and features for next generation mobile products. This is a role tasked with building models of SoC architectures to evaluate new feature and use cases. Solid architecture foundation, leadership, and SoC modeling experience is desired for success.

• Build and develop complex SoC performance models including CPU, GPU, ISP, NPU – particularly around smartphone and mobile platforms
• Perform high-level performance modeling and analysis of hardware features, applications, benchmarks, and complex uses cases.
• Analyze and understand the impact of system-level architectural trade-offs (including CPU, GPU, NPU, ISP, memory subsystems, and system software).
• Leverage a data driven approach to drive consensus around complex architectural proposals
• Work with teams throughout the company to identify, analyze and optimize critical complex use cases including gaming and camera applications

Skills And Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or 4+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree, or 1+ years of experience with a Ph.D
• Proficient in architectural modeling and performance analysis with analytical models or cycle-accurate simulators
• Excellent software development skills with ability to code in C/C++, python and similar programming languages
• Experience with CPU, GPU, accelerators or memory systems microarchitecture
• Ability to integrate internal/external IP models on a full system-level framework
• Understanding of Arm architecture and memory subsystem design including caches, interconnects and memory controllers
• Build SoC architecture models to analyze end-to-end performance on workloads of interest; Experience with gem5 desired
• Knowledge of high performance, high efficiency design
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

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.

Samsung employees have access to benefits including: 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, and many more. In addition, regular full-time employees (salaried or hourly) are eligible for MBO bonus compensation, based on company, division, and individual performance.

Additionally, this role might be 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.

#SARC #ACL

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