Core Performance Architect

Job Title

Core Performance Architect

Role Summary

Work with architecture and design teams to research, model, and develop next-generation high-performance processors. Focus on microarchitecture exploration, performance analysis, and enabling RTL implementation to meet aggressive performance targets.

Member of a performance engineering team collaborating with RTL designers and verification to prototype, evaluate, and deliver processor features.

Experience Level

Senior; posting specifies 3+ years of experience in high-performance processor development and product delivery.

Responsibilities

Primary duties include research, performance modeling, experimentation, and collaboration to implement performance features in RTL.

• Research and model architecture and microarchitecture ideas to meet performance targets.
• Design and execute experiments and simulations to evaluate features and optimizations.
• Analyze hardware and software stacks to identify performance bottlenecks and propose mitigations.
• Collaborate with RTL design and verification teams to implement and validate performance features.
• Develop workload characterization and reduction techniques for efficient performance simulation and projection.

Requirements

Must-have technical experience and demonstrated product-delivery experience; formal education summarized below.

• 3+ years in high-performance processor development and delivering hardware or software products.
• Hands-on expertise in hardware development: RTL, implementation flows, verification/validation, backend flows, or FPGA flows.
• Experience with FPGA debug and logic analyzers (e.g., Integrated Logic Analyzer) for waveform capture and debug.
• Strong foundation in high-performance out-of-order CPU microarchitecture.
• Experience analyzing performance bottlenecks across microarchitecture and software stacks.
• Experience with workload characterization and reduction techniques for performance simulation.
• Nice-to-have: awareness of known industry microarchitectures and potential security implications of microarchitectural features.
• May require successful background/reference checks and proof of right to work; export-control authorization or ability to obtain necessary licenses may be required.

Education Requirements

MS in Computer Science or Computer Architecture (posting lists "MS in Computer Science / Computer Architecture").

About the Company

Company: SiFive

Headquarters: San Mateo, California, United States

SiFive is a pioneering company in the RISC-V ecosystem, focused on transforming the future of computing by delivering high-performance, data-intensive RISC-V solutions. Their compute platforms empower leading technology firms to innovate across various markets, including AI, machine learning, and automotive sectors. SiFive is recognized for its commitment to ongoing innovation and fostering collaboration among talented teams, impacting lives by enabling advanced chip design.