CPU Micro-architect

Position Summary

Samsung, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, is seeking a talented CPU Micro-architect to join our team. This role involves exploring new features and optimizing the microarchitecture of high performance Out-of-Order (OOO) CPU cores, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and pushing the boundaries of processor design.

Role And Responsibilities

• Explore new features and optimize the microarchitecture of high performance OoO CPU cores.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to push the boundaries of processor design.
• Improve the benchmarks and real-use-case performance (IPC, power/area efficiency) of a state of the art (SOTA) OoO CPU core, covering all aspects of the micro-architecture, including core pipelines, branch prediction, prefetching, and cache/TLB hierarchy.
• Work with the performance simulation team to model the microarchitecture of the SOTA core.
• Correlate simulation results against silicon measurement data, and perform thorough root cause analysis and debugging to identify, diagnose, and rectify any discrepancies, ensuring model accuracy and reliability.
• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks through modeling and prototyping.
• Develop performance models (as needed) and micro testbenches to improve and validate key performance features in the CPUs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure seamless integration of designs.

Skills And Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or 8+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree, or 6+ years of experience with a Ph.D.
• Extensive background in CPU microarchitecture design, with a strong understanding of computer architecture principles, including pipelining, superscalar design, cache hierarchies, coherency, and multi-core systems.
• Strong experience in performance analysis, modeling, and optimization, as well as common mobile benchmarks like GB6 and SpecInt17, and real use cases such as games and web browsing.
• Familiarity with Arm ISA (Armv8/v9) and extensions, or equivalent ISAs (x86 and RISC-V), and their impact on microarchitecture.
• Proficiency in reading – and writing as needed – hardware description languages (Verilog/SV) and programming languages (C++, Python) for modeling and simulation.
• Able to correlate simulation performance results against hardware performance metrics (cache misses, TLB misses, pipeline stalls) to ensure optimal performance.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

Total Rewards

• Base pay range: $151,000 - $251,800
• Eligible for MBO bonus compensation
• Relocation eligibility
• Regular full-time employees (salaried or hourly) are eligible for long-term incentive plan

Our Team

The System IP & SoC Architecture team at SARC/ACL designs proprietary coherent interconnects and memory controllers that power Exynos SoCs for Samsung’s premium consumer devices. We play a critical role in shaping the technology roadmap, delivering scalable, performance- and power-optimized IP solutions that support advanced system modeling and real-world applications such as gaming and computational photography. With scalability and efficiency at the core of our designs, our IP integrates seamlessly into complex semiconductor products, enabling cutting-edge memory subsystem capabilities across diverse market segments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• 401(k)
• Onc-site lunch
• Employee purchase program
• Tuition assistance (after 6 months)
• Paid time off
• Student loan program
• Wellness incentives
• Many more

U.S. Export Control

This position requires the ability to access information subject to U.S. export control restrictions. Applicants must have the ability to access export-controlled information or be eligible to receive a government authorization to access export-controlled information.

Trade Secrets

By submitting an application, you agree not to disclose to Samsung, or induce Samsung to use, any confidential or proprietary information (including trade secrets) belonging to any current or previous employer or other person or entity.