Principal Performance Architect

Job Title

Principal Performance Architect

Role Summary

Join the Compute Silicon & Manufacturing Engineering (CSME) organization within Microsoft Silicon to develop and validate System on Chip (SoC) performance models and analysis tools that guide architectural and manufacturing decisions for cloud-scale hardware.

The role focuses on performance modeling, correlation to RTL and silicon, cross-functional collaboration with microarchitecture and IP teams, and delivering data-driven recommendations to improve planning, quality, delivery, and cost for Microsoft cloud hardware.

Experience Level

Senior level. Typical experience guidance in the posting ties required years to degree level (examples: PhD +3 years, MS +6 years, BS +8 years) or equivalent professional experience; expect senior-level responsibility and leadership in performance modeling and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include modeling, analysis, and cross-team collaboration to improve SoC performance for cloud hardware.

• Develop and own SoC/IP cycle-accurate and approximate performance models and analysis tools using C++ and Python.
• Analyze workload behavior, identify performance bottlenecks, and quantify impacts working with micro-architects and RTL teams.
• Propose architectural or microarchitectural changes with quantitative justification based on modeling results.
• Leverage AI tools and infrastructure for coding, performance tuning, and analysis workflows.
• Verify correlation between performance models and RTL implementations and iterate models accordingly.
• Work closely with SOC and IP architecture teams to ensure systems meet performance, efficiency, and scalability targets.
• Demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, and inclusion when influencing cross-functional decisions.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security/export requirements, and collaboration abilities.

• Must-have: Proven experience building and validating SoC performance models and analysis tools; strong proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Must-have: Solid background in computer architecture, microarchitecture, memory and I/O subsystems, coherency/interconnect, and QoS concepts.
• Must-have: Experience collaborating with RTL and microarchitecture teams to isolate bottlenecks and drive fixes.
• Must-have: Ability to pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check and meet export-control eligibility requirements; successful candidates must provide documentation of citizenship or residency as required for access to controlled information.
• Nice-to-have: Post-silicon performance tuning experience, familiarity with performance monitors, and prior work developing benchmarks and modeling techniques from conception through microarchitecture specification.
• Nice-to-have: Experience applying AI/ML tools in performance analysis workflows.

Education Requirements

Posting specifies degree+experience combinations: Doctorate (PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 3+ years' technical engineering experience; OR Master’s degree in those fields with 6+ years' experience; OR Bachelor’s degree in those fields with 8+ years' experience; OR equivalent practical experience. Fields listed: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical fields.

About the Company

Company: Microsoft

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States

Microsoft is a global technology company that develops and sells software, services, devices, and solutions. Known for its Windows operating system, Office suite, and Azure cloud platform, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations around the world to achieve more. The company fosters a culture of innovation and inclusion, focusing on delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners globally.