Lead SoC Performance Architect
QualcommJob Title
Lead SoC Performance Architect
Role Summary
The Lead SoC Performance Architect will create and validate performance and power models for SoC fabrics (NoC), DRAM controllers, and IO blocks for server-class SoCs. The role prototypes and characterizes ideas in performance/power models and works with architects and RTL developers to productize improvements.
This position sits in the SoC Architecture team within Qualcomm's Engineering Group and focuses on correlating models with RTL behavior, debugging performance issues, and enabling performance/power improvements for future designs.
Experience Level
Senior - typically requires 8+ years of relevant SoC performance/power modeling experience (see Education Requirements for degree/experience combinations).
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include modeling, verification, debug, and working with cross-functional teams to deliver performance improvements.
- Develop SoC performance and power models for interconnect NoCs, distributed system caches, memory controllers, and IO controllers.
- Conduct RTL performance verification: create verification plans and directed tests/checkers.
- Write unit tests for models and debug mismatches against RTL expectations.
- Identify, prototype, and thoroughly characterize ideas to improve performance and power using the performance/power model.
- Collaborate with architects and RTL developers to productize validated improvements.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items are noted.
- 8+ years of experience in SoC performance/power modeling and performance analysis.
- Strong knowledge of computer architecture fundamentals, including interconnects, traffic QoS, distributed caches, coherency flows, DRAM controllers, and PCIe/IO flows.
- Proficient in C++; scripting with Perl or Python.
- Experience with performance analysis, debugging performance shortfalls, and correlating behavior between models and RTL.
- Ability to independently identify, troubleshoot, and solve performance problems.
- Nice-to-have: IP/SoC level performance validation experience between RTL and performance models; post-silicon performance testing and debug experience; track record of productizing performance/power features; 10+ years experience is preferred for senior roles.
Education Requirements
Degree and equivalent-experience options specified in the posting: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field plus 8+ years of systems engineering or related experience; OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field plus 7+ years of related experience; OR PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field plus 6+ years of related experience. The posting also specifies 2+ years of experience in one or more system architecture technology areas (e.g., Power System, Shared Resource Management, Limits/Thermal Management, Hardware Islands). Fields: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical fields; degree-equivalent experience accepted per the listed combinations.
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.
