CPU Performance - Staff Microarchitecture Exploration Engineer

Location: Austin, TX or Raleigh, NC
About Arm
Arm is the industry's leading supplier of microprocessor technology, offering the widest range of microprocessor cores to address the performance, power, and cost requirements for almost all application markets. With a vibrant ecosystem of over 1,000 partners and more than 150 billion processors shipped, our technology is at the heart of a computing and connectivity revolution that continues to transform the way people live and businesses operate.
The CPU Performance team is part of Arm's worldwide CPU development group. This diverse, engineering-focused team defines, designs, and validates Arm processor IP, collaborating with the world's leading technology companies to enable innovation across billions of devices.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior uArch Exploration Engineer to join our CPU Performance team in Austin or Raleigh. In this role, you will focus on defining the microarchitecture for Arm's next-generation Cortex-X and Neoverse CPUs. You will help shape CPU designs by building and analyzing performance models, studying workloads, and evaluating new ideas for performance, power, and efficiency. This is a highly collaborative role, working with CPU architects, designers, and partners to influence future CPU directions.
Responsibilities

• Define and explore new CPU microarchitecture concepts for performance, power, and efficiency.
• Build and refine performance models (cycle-accurate and functional simulators).
• Analyze workloads and performance sensitivities to guide design trade-offs.
• Collaborate with architects and design engineers to translate ideas into practical designs.
• Engage with partners to understand performance requirements and workload expectations.
• Present technical analysis and recommendations clearly across diverse audiences.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• 5-10 years of experience in CPU microarchitecture development, performance modeling, or workload analysis.
• Strong understanding of CPU microarchitecture fundamentals and performance/power/area trade-offs.
• Hands-on experience with simulators (cycle-accurate, functional) and modeling infrastructure.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with workload characterization and benchmarking.
• Familiarity with advanced software engineering practices and profiling tools.
• Exposure to customer or partner-facing technical discussions.

At Arm, you will thrive in a highly stimulating and collaborative environment. You will be encouraged to share your ideas and experiences, while learning new skills from the best engineers in the world. We work in small teams, so your contributions are important, and your work will make a real difference!
Accommodations at Arm
At Arm, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email [email protected]. To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by Arm to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of support include breaks between interviews, having documents read aloud, or office accessibility. Please email us about anything we can do to accommodate you during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunities at Arm
Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don't discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Hybrid Working at Arm
Arm's hybrid approach to working is centred around flexibility, where we split our time between the office and other locations to get our work done. Within that framework, we empower groups and teams to determine their own particular hybrid working pattern, depending on the work and the team's needs. Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution. Please talk to us to find out more about what this could look like for you.
Salary Range:
$191,100-$258,500 per year
We value people as individuals and our dedication is to reward people competitively and equitably for the work they do and the skills and experience they bring to Arm. Salary is only one component of Arm's offering. The total reward package will be shared with candidates during the recruitment and selection process.
Accommodations at Arm
At Arm, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email [email protected] . To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by Arm to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of support include breaks between interviews, having documents read aloud, or office accessibility. Please email us about anything we can do to accommodate you during the recruitment process.
Hybrid Working at Arm
Arm's approach to hybrid working is designed to create a working environment that supports both high performance and personal wellbeing. We believe in bringing people together face to face to enable us to work at pace, whilst recognizing the value of flexibility. Within that framework, we empower groups/teams to determine their own hybrid working patterns, depending on the work and the team's needs. Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution. Please talk to us to find out more about what this could look like for you.
Equal Opportunities at Arm
Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don't discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.