CPU Architecture Performance Engineer, Senior

Job Title

CPU Architecture Performance Engineer, Senior

Role Summary

The CPU Architecture Performance Engineer works on CPU microarchitecture and performance for ASIC/SoC blocks, contributing to architecture definition, modeling, implementation, verification, and documentation.

This role is part of the ASICs Engineering group and requires collaboration with hardware and software architecture teams to meet system-level requirements for high-performance, low-power products.

Experience Level

Senior — typically expects multiple years of ASIC/SoC engineering experience; the posting indicates a preference for candidates with 3+ years of relevant ASIC design or related experience.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include architecture, design, verification, and cross-team execution for CPU/SoC IP blocks.

• Define, model, design (digital and/or analog), optimize, verify, validate, implement, and document IP (block/SoC) development.
• Create architectures, circuit specifications, logic designs, and system simulations based on system-level requirements.
• Collaborate with software and hardware architecture teams to develop and execute implementation strategies.
• Evaluate design flow from high-level design through synthesis, place-and-route, timing, power, and verification; or for custom circuits, through layout flow.
• Use EDA and design tools (e.g., RTL-to-GDS flow, Virtuoso) to enable block/SoC or IC package design.
• Produce detailed technical documentation for EDA, IP, and ASIC projects.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; education details are in the Education Requirements section below.

• Hands-on ASIC design, verification, validation, or integration experience (industry experience expected; posting prefers multi-year experience).
• Experience applying microarchitecture and system-level reasoning to meet performance, power, and area goals.
• Familiarity with RTL-to-GDS flows and common EDA tool flows or equivalent custom design flows.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; capable of independent work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to write clear technical specifications and documentation.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with architecture and design tools, scripting/programming languages, and formal/advanced design verification methods.
• Prior work on CPU performance analysis, post-silicon bring-up, or power/performance optimization.

Education Requirements

Minimum qualifications list: Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field (with 2+ years ASIC experience) OR Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field (with 1+ year ASIC experience) OR PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field. Preferred: Master's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.

About the Company

Company: Qualcomm

Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States

Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.