System Performance Architect

QUALCOMM, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

RSU grants

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in San Diego is seeking an experienced System Performance Architect to lead performance explorations for next-gen Mobile, AI and CPU server SoCs.

This role drives architecture exploration from early concept through post-silicon, partnering closely with architecture, design, and software teams. The position requires deep knowledge of memory controllers, interconnects, and systems, with strong C++ and SystemC/TLM modeling skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD required with progressive ASIC experience.
• 6+ years in performance modeling, memory or system architecture.
• Strong C++ skills and SystemC/TLM experience.
• Experience with AI/ML, GPU, or HPC SoCs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute system level performance analysis of Infrastructure architecture features, memory controller behavior, and system-level trade-offs in pre-silicon simulation environment
• Identify performance bottlenecks across interconnect, caches, and compute, and propose architecture improvements.
• Contribute to performance sign-off activities, project deliverables, technical reviews, and automation
• Define methodologies, metrics, and KPI frameworks for workload analysis, performance tracking, and feature evaluation.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (SoC, NoC, memory controller, DV, power, software) to influence design decisions
• Identify optimization opportunities across both hardware and software, and drive recommendations to architecture, design, compiler, OS, firmware, and application teams
• Research and track industry trends and innovations in memory architecture such as HBM, 3D-stacked memory, and advanced packaging.

Skills

Performance modeling

Memory architecture

System architecture

C++ proficiency

SOC/NOC/Fabric

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field

Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field

PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

SystemC/TLM modeling

Job description

Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS Engineering

General Summary:

As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives communication and data processing transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm ASIC Engineer, you will define, model, design (digital and/or analog), optimize, verify, validate, implement, and document IP (block/SoC) development for a variety of high performance, high quality, low power world class products. Qualcomm Engineers collaborate with cross-functional groups to determine product execution path.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
• PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.

Position Summary

We are looking for an experienced System Performance Architect to lead system performance explorations for next‑generation Mobile, AI and CPU server SoCs. This role drives architecture exploration from early concept through post‑silicon, partnering closely with architecture, design, and software teams.

Responsibilities:

• Define and execute system level performance analysis of Infrastructure architecture features, memory controller behavior, and system‑level trade-offs in pre-silicon simulation environment
• Identify performance bottlenecks across interconnect, caches, and compute, and propose architecture improvements.
• Contribute to performance sign-off activities, project deliverables, technical reviews, and automation
• Define methodologies, metrics, and KPI frameworks for workload analysis, performance tracking, and feature evaluation.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (SoC, NoC, memory controller, DV, power, software) to influence design decisions
• Identify optimization opportunities across both hardware and software, and drive recommendations to architecture, design, compiler, OS, firmware, and application teams
• Research and track industry trends and innovations in memory architecture such as HBM, 3D-stacked memory, and advanced packaging.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience in performance modeling, memory architecture, or system architecture.
• Solid understanding of SOC Architecture, NOC/Fabric architecture, Memory subsystem
• Proficient with performance exploration planning and analysis for complex SOC designs
• Strong C++ proficiency; experience with SystemC/TLM modeling.
• Solid understanding of memory hierarchies and DRAM systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AI/ML, GPU, or HPC-class SoCs.
• Familiarity with post‑silicon performance analysis and silicon correlation.
• Ability to translate performance data into clear architectural recommendations.

Equal Opportunity

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail [e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

$145,600.00 - $218,400.00

• The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm.
• We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus).
• In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play.