CPU Processor Performance Verification Engineer

Job Title

CPU Processor Performance Verification Engineer

Role Summary

Responsible for silicon performance verification, correlation, characterization, and tuning for CPU designs. The role spans pre-silicon and post-silicon activities: developing tests and infrastructure, profiling software and applications, correlating performance across silicon/system software versions, and working with architects, RTL designers, OS and compiler teams to debug and improve CPU performance.

This role sits within a chip-design organization and requires cross-functional collaboration to deliver verified CPU performance features for shipping products.

Experience Level

Mid-level. No explicit years-of-experience range provided in the source posting.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include verification, test development, correlation, and performance tuning across pre-silicon and silicon bring-up.

• Verify CPU performance features with architects and RTL designers; correlate RTL behavior with performance models.
• Develop test plans, benchmarks, and test infrastructure for performance verification and tuning.
• Create tests in assembly, C/C++, or vectors to debug and correlate RTL and performance models.
• Develop C- or Verilog-based checkers, coverage monitors, and analyze coverage for performance features.
• Profile and analyze software/applications to identify performance bottlenecks.
• Benchmark, correlate, and compare CPU performance across silicon, OS, and compiler versions.
• Debug silicon performance issues and perform on-silicon performance tuning.
• Present CPU performance results to cross-functional teams and work with OS/compiler teams on tuning.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience for the role.

• Hands-on experience with silicon or pre-silicon performance verification, correlation, or characterization.
• Familiarity with CPU architecture, microarchitecture, and digital logic design concepts.
• Experience developing tests and test infrastructure for performance analysis and tuning.
• Proficiency with one or more programming/description languages: assembly, C/C++, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Experience building checkers, coverage monitors, and interpreting coverage data.
• Ability to profile applications, analyze performance bottlenecks, and perform benchmarking and correlation across toolchain/OS versions.
• Strong debugging skills and experience working with cross-functional teams (architects, RTL designers, OS and compiler engineers).

Education Requirements

Minimum BS-level academic background indicated. Relevant fields mentioned: digital logic design, CPU architecture and microarchitecture, performance modeling, processor verification, and RTL design.

About the Company

Company: Apple

Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States

Apple is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, software, and online services. Known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, Mac computers, and iPad, Apple emphasizes a strong commitment to high-quality design and user experience.