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Cpu Micro Architecture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a CPU Micro-architecture and RTL Design Engineer, you will work with chip architects to conceive of the micro-architecture, and also help with architecture/product definition through early ...

$100K - $500K/yr

We are looking for a talented engineer to join our CPU design team to iterate through front-end CAD flows on multiple process technologies while working closely with core micro-architects to refine ...

Showing results 21-40

Cpu Micro Architecture information

See salary details

$156.5K

$168K

How much do cpu micro architecture jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for cpu micro architecture 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 CPU microarchitecture?

CPU microarchitecture refers to the way a processor's internal components are designed and organized to execute instructions. It includes the layout and interaction of elements like ALUs, caches, pipelines, and control units within a CPU. Microarchitecture determines how efficiently a processor can execute commands, manage data, and utilize resources. While the instruction set architecture (ISA) defines what a CPU can do, the microarchitecture defines how it actually does it, impacting performance and power consumption.

What are some typical challenges faced by CPU microarchitecture engineers during the design process?

CPU microarchitecture engineers often face challenges balancing performance, power consumption, and area constraints when designing new processors. They must ensure that their design meets target specifications for speed and efficiency while staying within the physical and thermal limitations of the chip. Additionally, collaborating closely with verification, software, and hardware teams is essential to identify and resolve integration issues early in the development cycle. Staying updated with evolving technology standards and adapting designs to support new features can also be demanding but offers valuable opportunities for learning and growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CPU microarchitect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CPU Microarchitect, you need a strong background in computer engineering, digital logic design, and processor architecture, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with hardware description languages (such as Verilog or VHDL), simulation tools, and processor modeling software is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and addressing complex design challenges. These combined skills ensure the development of efficient, high-performance CPUs that meet market and technical demands.

What is the difference between Cpu Micro Architecture vs Cpu Design Engineer?

AspectCpu Micro ArchitectureCpu Design Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning the internal structure and organization of the CPU, including pipelines, cache hierarchy, and execution units.Creating detailed CPU designs, including circuitry, logic, and functional specifications.
Required SkillsKnowledge of microarchitecture principles, digital logic, and computer architecture.Expertise in digital circuit design, hardware description languages, and verification.
Work EnvironmentResearch and development teams in semiconductor or tech companies, often collaborating with architects and engineers.Hardware design teams focused on implementing and testing CPU components.

While Cpu Micro Architecture involves designing the internal structure and behavior of CPUs, Cpu Design Engineers focus on translating these designs into actual hardware. Both roles require a strong understanding of digital logic and computer architecture, but they differ in scope—micro architecture emphasizes conceptual design, whereas design engineering emphasizes implementation.

What other helpful pages are available for Cpu Micro Architecture?

Other pages related to Cpu Micro Architecture:

Infographic showing various Cpu Micro Architecture job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,842 per year, or $80.7 per hour.

CPU Micro-architect/RTL Designer

Austin, TX • On-site

Qualcomm
Technology, Communication and Media • 10K+ employees

$211K - $317K/yr

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago


Qualcomm rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

General Summary

We are hiring talented engineers for CPU RTL development targeted for high performance, low power devices. As a CPU Micro-architecture and RTL Design Engineer, you will work with chip architects to conceive of the micro-architecture, and also help with architecture/product definition through early involvement in the product life-cycle.

Roles and Responsibilities
  • Performance exploration. Explore high performance strategies working with the CPU modeling team.
  • Microarchitecture development and specification. From early high-level architectural exploration, through micro architectural research and arriving at a detailed specification.
  • RTL ownership. Development, assessment and refinement of RTL design to target power, performance, area and timing goals.
  • Functional verification support. Help the design verification team execute on the functional verification strategy.
  • Performance verification support. Help verify that the RTL design meets the performance goals.
  • Design delivery. Work with multi-functional engineering team to implement and validate physical design on the aspects of timing, area, reliability, testability and po
Preferred Qualifications
  • Thorough knowledge of microprocessor architecture including expertise in one or more of the following areas: instruction fetch and decode, branch prediction, instruction scheduling and register renaming, out-of-order execution, integer and floating point execution, load/store execution, prefetching, cache and memory subsystems
  • Knowledge of Verilog and/or VHDL. Experience with simulators and waveform debugging tools
  • Knowledge of logic design principles along with timing and power implications
  • Understanding of low power microarchitecture techniques
  • Understanding of high performance techniques and trade-offs in a CPU microarchitecture
  • Experience using a scripting language such as Perl or Python
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. OR PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits

$211,900.00 - $317,900.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

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About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985