SoC Performance Architect - Optimize Server Workloads

Qualcomm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking an SoC Performance Architect to lead server CPU workload analysis, performance modeling, and optimization across hardware and software.

You will focus on end-to-end performance for complex server workloads and identify bottlenecks across the compute stack. The role requires deep architectural expertise and hands-on performance debugging in Linux environments, with collaboration across architecture, design, software, systems, and partner teams to inform

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Deep understanding of CPU microarchitecture, including pipelines, out-of-order execution, branch prediction, caches, prefetching, SMT, and performance bottlenecks.
• Strong knowledge of SoC architecture, including on-chip interconnect/fabric, memory controllers, DRAM systems, coherency, and I/O subsystems.
• Strong understanding of OS and compiler behavior, including scheduling, memory management, synchronization, code generation, optimization, and runtime effects on performance.
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard performance analysis and profiling tools.
• Experience enabling and debugging complex server workloads in Linux environments.
• Strong scripting and data analysis skills for handling large profiling datasets and developing performance models.

Responsibilities

• Define performance methodologies, metrics, and KPI frameworks for consistent workload tracking and feature evaluation.
• Conduct hardware/software sensitivity studies.
• Perform bottleneck analysis across CPU cores, cache hierarchy, memory subsystem/controllers, on-chip fabric, and I/O.
• Use profiling and PMU tools to capture hotspots, call stacks, CPI breakdowns, memory behavior, and microarchitectural stall data.
• Build analytical and empirical models for workload behavior, scaling, and feature sensitivity.
• Develop performance projections for internal roadmap products and external competitors.
• Identify and prioritize optimization opportunities; drive cross-functional execution with architecture, design, compiler, OS, firmware, and application teams.
• Communicate findings, tradeoffs, and product implications to technical and executive stakeholders.

Skills

CPU microarchitecture

OS and compiler behavior

Performance analysis

Linux performance debugging

Scripting / data analysis

PMU-based analysis

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

PMU tools

Profiling tools

Job description

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking an SoC Performance Architect to lead server CPU workload analysis, performance modeling, and optimization across hardware and software.

You will focus on end-to-end performance for complex server workloads and identify bottlenecks across the compute stack. The role requires deep architectural expertise and hands-on performance debugging in Linux environments, with collaboration across architecture, design, software, systems, and partner teams to inform