Description As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus ...
Description As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus ...
Embedded CPU Architect, Platform Architecture
Beaverton, OR · On-site
$173K/yr
As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus will be on ...
Embedded CPU Architect, Platform Architecture
Beaverton, OR · On-site
$173K/yr
As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus will be on ...
Senior Out-of-Order CPU Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
The Role and Impact As a CPU Architect, you will be at the forefront of Intel's innovation, shaping the future of CPU designs for high-performance computing and low-power products. This role is ...
Senior Out-of-Order CPU Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
The Role and Impact As a CPU Architect, you will be at the forefront of Intel's innovation, shaping the future of CPU designs for high-performance computing and low-power products. This role is ...
Senior Out-of-Order CPU Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
The Role and Impact As a CPU Architect, you will be at the forefront of Intel's innovation, shaping the future of CPU designs for high-performance computing and low-power products. This role is ...
Senior Out-of-Order CPU Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
The Role and Impact As a CPU Architect, you will be at the forefront of Intel's innovation, shaping the future of CPU designs for high-performance computing and low-power products. This role is ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data prefetchers ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data prefetchers ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
CPU Performance Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
Join Intel as a CPU Performance Architect in Austin, TX and play a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge semiconductor technology. You will be at the forefront of designing and developing CPU logic ...
CPU Performance Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
Join Intel as a CPU Performance Architect in Austin, TX and play a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge semiconductor technology. You will be at the forefront of designing and developing CPU logic ...
CPU Performance Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
Join Intel as a CPU Performance Architect in Austin, TX and play a pivotal role in advancingcutting-edgesemiconductor technology.You will be at the forefront of designing and developing CPU logic ...
CPU Performance Architect
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
Join Intel as a CPU Performance Architect in Austin, TX and play a pivotal role in advancingcutting-edgesemiconductor technology.You will be at the forefront of designing and developing CPU logic ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Come join the CPU architecture team and help us the boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. * Serve ...
Senior CPU Performance Architect
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$196K/yr
Come join the CPU performance architecture team and help us push performance boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Study workloads for a wide range of markets, including CSP ...
Senior CPU Performance Architect
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$196K/yr
Come join the CPU performance architecture team and help us push performance boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Study workloads for a wide range of markets, including CSP ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
$212K - $318K/yr
Description As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
$212K - $318K/yr
Description As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
$212K - $318K/yr
Description As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
$212K - $318K/yr
Description As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data ...
The Apple CPU Architecture and Performance Team is seeking highly motivated and self-driven engineers who want to live at this intersection, individuals who have or want to develop domain expertise ...
The Apple CPU Architecture and Performance Team is seeking highly motivated and self-driven engineers who want to live at this intersection, individuals who have or want to develop domain expertise ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
$212K - $318K/yr
Description As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
$212K - $318K/yr
Description As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on CPU micro-architecture, you will be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the areas of branch prediction, code/data ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on the memory subsystem, you will be part of a team that is defining and optimizing CPU and cache micro-architecture. Working collaboratively, you will ...
CPU Performance Architect, Platform Architecture
Austin, TX · On-site
$165K/yr
As a CPU Performance Architect with a focus on the memory subsystem, you will be part of a team that is defining and optimizing CPU and cache micro-architecture. Working collaboratively, you will ...
Keeping the same intent in mind, we would like you to consider the job opening with US Tech Solutions that fits your expertise and skillset. Sr. CPU Performance Architect Santa Clara, CA 12+ Months ...
Keeping the same intent in mind, we would like you to consider the job opening with US Tech Solutions that fits your expertise and skillset. Sr. CPU Performance Architect Santa Clara, CA 12+ Months ...
Come join the CPU performance architecture team and help us push performance boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Work on workload bring-up and performance analysis/projection ...
Come join the CPU performance architecture team and help us push performance boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Work on workload bring-up and performance analysis/projection ...
Come join the CPU performance architecture team and help us push performance boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Work on workload bring-up and performance analysis/projection ...
Come join the CPU performance architecture team and help us push performance boundaries for all our CPU products! What you'll be doing: * Work on workload bring-up and performance analysis/projection ...
Cpu Architect information
See salary details
$156.5K - $157.5K
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$157.5K - $158.6K
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$166.4K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$165.9K - $167K
50% of jobs
$167.5K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$167K - $168K
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$156.5K
$168K
How much do cpu architect jobs pay per year?
As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for cpu architect in the United States is $167,842.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $167,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is the difference between Cpu Architect vs Hardware Engineer?
| Aspect | Cpu Architect | Hardware Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; certifications like IEEE or industry-specific training | Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; similar certifications |
| Work Environment | Design-focused, R&D labs, collaborative teams, often involved in architecture and system-level decisions | Development and testing labs, manufacturing environments, hands-on hardware design and testing |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Semiconductor companies, tech firms, R&D departments | Electronics manufacturers, tech companies, hardware development firms |
Cpu Architects focus on designing and developing CPU architectures, working on system-level specifications and performance optimization. Hardware Engineers handle the physical design, testing, and implementation of hardware components. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, Cpu Architects are more involved in high-level design, whereas Hardware Engineers focus on physical hardware development and testing.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CPU Architect, and why are they important?
To thrive as a CPU Architect, you need a strong background in computer engineering, digital logic design, and microarchitecture, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in processor design. Familiarity with hardware description languages (HDL) like Verilog or VHDL, simulation tools, and industry-standard protocols is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate and innovate within multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the development of high-performance, reliable processors that meet complex technical requirements and drive technological advancement.
What does a CPU architect do?
A CPU architect is responsible for designing and developing the core components and structure of central processing units (CPUs) used in computers and other electronic devices. Their work involves defining the architecture, instruction sets, and performance features of processors to meet the needs of various applications. CPU architects collaborate with hardware engineers, software developers, and product teams to ensure the processor delivers optimal performance, energy efficiency, and compatibility. They also play a key role in addressing emerging technology trends and advancing processor capabilities.
What are some typical challenges faced by CPU Architects when collaborating with cross-functional teams?
CPU Architects often work closely with hardware designers, software engineers, and verification teams. A common challenge is ensuring that the CPU design balances performance, power consumption, and area constraints while also aligning with the broader product roadmap. Effective communication is essential to translate complex architectural concepts into actionable requirements for other teams. Additionally, CPU Architects must frequently adapt to changing technology trends and customer needs, which requires flexibility and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
More about Cpu Architect jobs
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What are the most commonly searched types of Cpu Architect jobs? The most popular types of Cpu Architect jobs are:
What states have the most Cpu Architect jobs? States with the most job openings for Cpu Architect jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cpu Architect jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cpu Architect jobs are:
Apple rating
8.1
Based on 662 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
6th of 30 rated technology retailers
Job description
We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Embedded CPU Architect to join the Platform Architecture team. In this role, you will drive performance and efficiency optimization and architectural feature exploration for Apple’s embedded CPUs that power critical functions across Apple's product line.
Description
As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus will be on understanding the unique constraints and opportunities of varied embedded use cases and translating those insights into improvements for both the software stack as well as the hardware including the CPU and its surrounding subsystem.
You will be responsible for deep-dive performance analysis of embedded workloads, identifying bottlenecks in existing microarchitectures, and proposing optimization strategies that balance performance, power efficiency, and area. Working closely with algorithm teams, software engineers, and CPU designers, you will explore ISA extensions, microarchitecture enhancements, and system-level optimizations tailored to embedded use cases.
This role requires some background in software profiling, performance modeling, and simulation environments. You will use and develop analysis tools and infrastructure to enable data-driven architectural decisions, create and analyze both real workloads and benchmarks representative of embedded workloads, and iterate with design teams to ensure ideas are implementable within power, timing, and area constraints.","responsibilities":"Analyze performance characteristics of embedded workloads including real-time processing, audio DSP, always-on scenarios, and embedded ML inference
Collaborate with system architecture and software teams to understand use case requirements that could be unique for each environment
Translate findings into actionable improvements to our designs and software
Work with CPU design team to implement proposed improvements while balancing tradeoffs for power, timing and area
Provide feedback into and help develop performance models, simulators, and analysis tools used to support architectural exploration
Preferred Qualifications
MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
20+ years of industry experience in CPU architecture or performance analysis
Expertise in CPU microarchitecture in one or more of the following areas: branch prediction, prefetching, pipeline optimization, datapath, memory hierarchy
Experience in one or more of the following areas: embedded ML workloads and inference engines, SIMD/vector architectures for signal processing or ML, or compiler infrastructure and toolchain development for embedded workloads
Experience with real-time operating systems and embedded software constraints
Understanding of: power-performance trade-offs in CPU designs, system-level power management, and low-power design techniques
Strong communication and collaboration skills across hardware and software teams
Experience taking architectural ideas from concept through implementation
Minimum Qualifications
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar
CPU architecture or microarchitecture experience
Experience with performance simulation environments, and performance analysis or optimization of workloads
Experience with one or more of the following ISAs: ARM, RISC-V, x86
Experience in C, C++, or similar programming languages
Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl for analysis and automation
Description
As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus will be on understanding the unique constraints and opportunities of varied embedded use cases and translating those insights into improvements for both the software stack as well as the hardware including the CPU and its surrounding subsystem.
You will be responsible for deep-dive performance analysis of embedded workloads, identifying bottlenecks in existing microarchitectures, and proposing optimization strategies that balance performance, power efficiency, and area. Working closely with algorithm teams, software engineers, and CPU designers, you will explore ISA extensions, microarchitecture enhancements, and system-level optimizations tailored to embedded use cases.
This role requires some background in software profiling, performance modeling, and simulation environments. You will use and develop analysis tools and infrastructure to enable data-driven architectural decisions, create and analyze both real workloads and benchmarks representative of embedded workloads, and iterate with design teams to ensure ideas are implementable within power, timing, and area constraints.","responsibilities":"Analyze performance characteristics of embedded workloads including real-time processing, audio DSP, always-on scenarios, and embedded ML inference
Collaborate with system architecture and software teams to understand use case requirements that could be unique for each environment
Translate findings into actionable improvements to our designs and software
Work with CPU design team to implement proposed improvements while balancing tradeoffs for power, timing and area
Provide feedback into and help develop performance models, simulators, and analysis tools used to support architectural exploration
Preferred Qualifications
MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
20+ years of industry experience in CPU architecture or performance analysis
Expertise in CPU microarchitecture in one or more of the following areas: branch prediction, prefetching, pipeline optimization, datapath, memory hierarchy
Experience in one or more of the following areas: embedded ML workloads and inference engines, SIMD/vector architectures for signal processing or ML, or compiler infrastructure and toolchain development for embedded workloads
Experience with real-time operating systems and embedded software constraints
Understanding of: power-performance trade-offs in CPU designs, system-level power management, and low-power design techniques
Strong communication and collaboration skills across hardware and software teams
Experience taking architectural ideas from concept through implementation
Minimum Qualifications
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar
CPU architecture or microarchitecture experience
Experience with performance simulation environments, and performance analysis or optimization of workloads
Experience with one or more of the following ISAs: ARM, RISC-V, x86
Experience in C, C++, or similar programming languages
Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl for analysis and automation
About Apple
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.
Industry
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Cupertino, CA, US
Year founded
1976