Intel

Senior CPU Architecture and Benchmarking Engineer

Intel • $190K — $269K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with significant industry experience
  • Deep understanding of out-of-order CPU microarchitecture and its components
  • Experience designing and interpreting low-level microbenchmarks for CPU characterization
  • Proficiency in assembly programming and performance tooling (e.g., EMON/PMU counters, VTune)
  • Strong background in performance analysis methodologies and quantitative trade-off evaluation
  • Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages (Python or similar) for benchmark development

Responsibilities

  • Design and analyze microbenchmarks to explore low-level microarchitectural behavior
  • Investigate and document microarchitectural details through systematic benchmarking
  • Evaluate system software layers' impact on CPU performance and power efficiency
  • Identify power/performance gaps and propose architectural solutions
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to correlate benchmarking findings with models and measurements
  • Explore microarchitectural ideas in performance simulators and provide quantitative assessments
  • Develop and maintain benchmarking tools and analysis frameworks
  • Communicate technical findings clearly to engineering and product teams

Benefits

  • Competitive pay and stock bonuses
  • Comprehensive health benefits
  • Retirement plans
  • Generous vacation policy
  • Strong overall compensation package
Full Job Description
Job Details:

Job Description:
About the Role

Join Intel's architecture team as a Senior CPU Architecture and Benchmarking Engineer. You will drive rigorous, low-level investigations into CPU designs, crafting targeted microbenchmarks that expose microarchitectural behavior at fine granularity and translating those findings into actionable architectural guidance. Your work will bridge the gap between silicon measurement, software behavior, and architectural definition, playing a key role in shaping Intel's future CPU roadmap.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and analyze pinpointed microbenchmarks to explore and characterize low-level microarchitectural behavior including branch prediction, instruction fetch/decode, execution units, memory subsystem, prefetchers, and power delivery interactions
  • Investigate and document microarchitectural details of CPU designs through systematic benchmarking and analysis
  • Evaluate the impact of system software layers - including OS schedulers, runtime libraries, compilers, and firmware - on end-product CPU performance and power efficiency
  • Identify power/performance gaps and propose concrete architectural solutions and mitigations
  • Collaborate with silicon lab, simulation, backend, and RTL teams to correlate benchmarking findings with pre-silicon models and post-silicon measurements
  • Explore and evaluate proposed microarchitectural ideas in CPU performance simulators, providing quantitative measure of value
  • Develop and maintain tooling, test infrastructure, and analysis frameworks to support repeatable and scalable benchmarking workflows
  • Communicate technical findings clearly and persuasively in written reports and presentations to senior engineering and product teams
To Be Successful in This Role, You Should Demonstrate
  • Intellectual curiosity and a systematic mindset when investigating complex microarchitectural behavior, with the rigor to design experiments that yield clear, reproducible conclusions
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across silicon, simulation, and software teams to align findings and drive architectural decisions
  • The ability to communicate complex technical findings with clarity and confidence to both engineering peers and senior leadership audiences


Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline with 8+ years of relevant industry experience, OR a Master's Degree in a related discipline with 6+ years of relevant industry experience
  • Deep understanding of out-of-order CPU microarchitecture, including pipeline stages, execution resources, memory hierarchy, and power/performance interactions
  • Demonstrated experience designing and interpreting low-level microbenchmarks for CPU characterization
  • Proficiency in assembly programming and low-level performance tooling (e.g., EMON/PMU counters, VTune, or equivalent)
  • Strong background in performance analysis methodologies, bottleneck identification, and quantitative trade-off evaluation
  • Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages (Python or similar) for benchmark development and data analysis

Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with cycle-accurate CPU performance simulators and the ability to model and evaluate new microarchitectural features
  • Understanding of software stack impacts on CPU performance, including OS scheduler behavior, memory allocators, compiler code generation, and BIOS/firmware tuning
  • Experience reading or debugging RTL to investigate microarchitectural behavior or validate benchmark hypotheses
  • Track record of translating benchmarking insights into concrete architectural recommendations or published technical contributions


Job Type:
Experienced Hire

Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:
US, Oregon, Hillsboro

Additional Locations:

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $190,610.00-269,100.00 USD

The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role
This role will require an on-site presence. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

About Intel

Intel Careers

Join Intel's dynamic team today and be part of a company that redefines the boundaries of technology and innovation. Intel offers a plethora of job opportunities that pave the way for professional growth and personal achievement. As a leader in the tech industry, Intel is the perfect place to advance your career, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out. Work You’ll Do At Intel, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, working together to solve complex challenges and push the limits of what's possible. Our culture of innovation fosters diversity and encourages you to bring your unique perspectives to the table. Intel is not just about hardware and software; it's about empowering people to achieve more. Join Intel’s market-leading team to help drive technological advancements in numerous fields. From semiconductor engineering to AI development, your work at Intel will have a profound impact on the world’s technological landscape. Lead with Innovation Intel stands at the intersection of technology leadership and industry innovation. Here, you will have the opportunity to lead projects that set industry standards and redefine how technology enhances our lives. Intel’s commitment to leadership development ensures that every team member is equipped with the skills needed to excel. Experience the Power of Networking and Professional Growth Intel’s global scale offers unmatched opportunities for networking and professional development. Engage with experts across different fields and participate in programs designed to hone your leadership skills and expand your professional knowledge. Intel’s dedication to career growth is evident in our robust training programs and our commitment to promoting from within. Internship and Employment Opportunities Start your career journey with an internship at Intel, where you can apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting. Our internships provide a foundation for successful careers by allowing you to work on meaningful projects and gain valuable industry experience. Intel is hiring! Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you’re applying for an internship or a full-time position, preparing your resume and getting ready for the interview process at Intel is an exciting step towards a promising future. Benefits and Culture Intel is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We offer competitive benefits packages that promote the well-being of our employees and their families. From health and wellness to financial and education benefits, Intel ensures that our team members have what they need to succeed. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for job opportunities that align with your career aspirations. Intel’s diverse range of employment options means there’s a place for every skill set and ambition. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work at Intel. Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Intel.
Learn more about Intel
Size
121,100 employees
Market Cap
$106.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$20.8 billion
Founded
1968
5 Year Trend
+5.9%
Revenue
$77.8 billion
NASDAQ

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