Tenstorrent is leading the industry on cutting-edge AI technology, revolutionizing performance expectations, ease of use, and cost efficiency. With AI redefining the computing paradigm, solutions must evolve to unify innovations in software models, compilers, platforms, networking, and semiconductors. Our diverse team of technologists have developed a high performance RISC-V CPU from scratch, and share a passion for AI and a deep desire to build the best AI platform possible. We value collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to solving hard problems. We are growing our team and looking for contributors of all seniorities.
Tenstorrent is building next-generation processors and systems, bringing together world-class expertise across silicon, systems, and software. We are looking for a CPU Performance Modeling Architect to help evaluate, shape, and optimize the performance of future CPU architectures. In this role, you’ll use performance modeling, workload analysis, and deep understanding of CPU architecture to answer complex questions about how a processor should be designed. You’ll work closely with CPU architects, RTL designers, software and compiler teams, and system engineers to identify performance opportunities, evaluate architectural tradeoffs, and turn modeling insights into actionable design decisions.
This role is hybrid, based out of Santa Clara, CA or Austin, TX.
We welcome candidates at various experience levels for this role. During the interview process, candidates will be assessed for the appropriate level, and offers will align with that level, which may differ from the one in this posting.
Who You Are
- A CPU architect, performance architect, or performance modeling engineer with experience influencing CPU architecture or microarchitecture decisions.
- You have a strong understanding of modern processor architecture and enjoy digging into why a CPU performs the way it does.
- You are comfortable combining hardware architecture, software, data, and analytical modeling to solve complex performance problems.
- You can move between high-level architectural questions and detailed analysis of CPU pipelines, memory systems, workloads, and bottlenecks.
- A strong collaborator and technical communicator who can turn complex modeling results into clear recommendations and drive decisions across engineering teams.
What We Need
- 8+ years of experience in CPU architecture, performance modeling, microarchitecture, performance analysis, or a closely related field.
- Strong understanding of CPU architecture and microarchitecture, including areas such as pipelines, execution, scheduling, branch prediction, caches, memory hierarchy, and data movement.
- Demonstrated experience using performance models, simulation, or quantitative analysis to guide real architectural decisions.
- Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or similar languages, with experience developing or extending modeling and analysis tools.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across architecture, hardware, and software teams.
What You Will Learn
- Gain deeper exposure to the full CPU architecture and development process, from early architectural exploration through implementation and silicon.
- Expand your ability to connect performance models and workload behavior to real hardware design decisions.
- Work across CPU architecture, software, compilers, and system teams to understand performance from multiple perspectives.
- Develop new approaches to modeling, workload analysis, and architectural exploration as processor designs become increasingly complex.
- Help shape the performance characteristics and architectural direction of future generations of Tenstorrent CPUs.
Compensation for all engineers at Tenstorrent ranges from $100k - $500k including base and variable compensation targets. Experience, skills, education, background and location all impact the actual offer made.
Tenstorrent offers a highly competitive compensation package and benefits, and we are an equal opportunity employer.
This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicant being eligible to access U.S. export-controlled technology. Due to U.S. export laws, including those codified in the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Company is required to ensure compliance with these laws when transferring technology to nationals of certain countries (such as EAR Country Groups D:1, E1, and E2). These requirements apply to persons located in the U.S. and all countries outside the U.S. As the position offered will have direct and/or indirect access to information, systems, or technologies subject to these laws, the offer may be contingent upon your citizenship/permanent residency status or ability to obtain prior license approval from the U.S. Commerce Department or applicable federal agency. If employment is not possible due to U.S. export laws, any offer of employment will be rescinded.
Skills Required
- 1-5 years of industry or equivalent research experience in CPU architecture, performance analysis, or microarchitecture development.
- Strong foundation in CPU core or mid-core design and understanding of modern processor pipelines and performance tradeoffs.
- Experience with performance modeling tools such as Gem5, SST, SimpleScalar, or equivalent simulation environments.
- Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or similar languages used for architectural modeling and analysis.
- Understanding of processor subsystems including instruction scheduling, branch prediction, caches, memory hierarchy, prefetching, and execution pipelines.
- PhD preferred (MS considered) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Role is hybrid, based out of Santa Clara, CA or Austin, TX.
- Eligibility to access U.S. export-controlled technology (citizenship/permanent residency or ability to obtain prior license approval).
What We Do
Tenstorrent is a next-generation computing company that builds computers for AI. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with U.S. offices in Austin, Texas, and Silicon Valley, and global offices in Belgrade and Bangalore, Tenstorrent brings together experts in the field of computer architecture, ASIC design, advanced systems, and neural network compilers. Join us: www.tenstorrent.com/careers
