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Cpu Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

You will be developing CPU test content using our test generators, defining new test cases for our cutting-edge CPU designs, and spearheading our silicon bring-up efforts. Description • Work ...

You will be developing CPU test content using our test generators, defining new test cases for our cutting-edge CPU designs, and spearheading our silicon bring-up efforts. Description • Work ...

We are looking for a strong candidate to join our CPU team focusing on power modeling and reduction, prototyping and correlating pre-silicon expectations with post silicon measurements. In this ...

CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$196K/yr

Join our CPU Performance Architecture team in Santa Clara, CA, and be part of a company that is pushing boundaries and making an outstanding impact globally. This is your opportunity to help build ...

The Role and Impact As a CPU Performance Architect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Intel's cutting-edge CPU designs, driving innovation across high-performance computing and ...

P erform CPU development and design integration for CPU subsystem. * M icro-architecture and design of RISC based CPU. * E xplore latest technologies in processor for 5G application. Minimum ...

Description As a CPU Implementation Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: Work with micro-architects to help define the micro-architecture and assist with design feasibility and ...

CPU Digital Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$159K/yr

This position will work with multi-nation teams in leading-edge process node and be involved in: - Perform CPU development and design integration for CPU subsystem. - Micro-architecture and design of ...

CPU Emulation Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$167K - $250K/yr

As a CPU Emulation Engineer, you will work as part of CPU verification team to deliver emulation-based solutions for CPU team. You will work closely with all disciplines of CPU team to help verify ...

You will be developing CPU test content using our test generators, defining new test cases for our cutting-edge CPU designs, and spearheading our silicon bring-up efforts. Description • Work ...

Join our CPU Performance Architecture team in Santa Clara, CA, and be part of a company that is pushing boundaries and making an outstanding impact globally. This is your opportunity to help build ...

Description As a CPU Implementation Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Work with micro-architects to help define the micro-architecture and assist with design feasibility ...

Description As a CPU Implementation Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Work with micro-architects to help define the micro-architecture and assist with design feasibility ...

You will be developing CPU test content using our test generators, defining new test cases for our cutting-edge CPU designs, and spearheading our silicon bring-up efforts. Description • Work ...

Description As a CPU Implementation Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Work with micro-architects to help define the micro-architecture and assist with design feasibility ...

CPU Emulation Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$167K - $250K/yr

As a CPU Emulation Engineer, you will work as part of CPU verification team to deliver emulation-based solutions for CPU team. You will work closely with all disciplines of CPU team to help verify ...

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Cpu information

See California salary details

$39.5K

$67.8K

$129.3K

How much do cpu jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for cpu in California is $67,818.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,900.00 and $85,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a CPU?

A CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside a system. Often referred to as the 'brain' of the computer, it executes instructions from programs by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations. CPUs are vital for running software applications and operating systems, making them essential for everything from simple tasks to complex computing processes. Modern CPUs are found in desktops, laptops, smartphones, and many other electronic devices.

What does a CPU engineer do?

A CPU job typically refers to a computational task assigned to a computer's central processing unit (CPU). These jobs can range from basic calculations to complex data processing tasks executed by software applications. CPU jobs are prioritized and scheduled by the operating system to ensure efficient performance. In high-performance computing or cloud environments, CPU jobs may involve parallel processing to optimize resource usage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CPU engineer?

To thrive as a CPU Engineer, you need a solid background in computer engineering, digital logic design, and microarchitecture, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering or computer science. Familiarity with hardware description languages (such as VHDL or Verilog), simulation tools, and integrated circuit design software is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure efficient CPU design, innovation, and reliable performance in advanced computing systems.

What are some common challenges faced by CPU design engineers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

CPU Design Engineers often work closely with hardware, software, and verification teams. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication, as each group may use different technical languages or have competing priorities. Aligning design specifications with manufacturing and validation constraints requires strong collaboration and adaptability. Engineers also need to balance optimizing for performance, power, and cost while accommodating feedback from multiple stakeholders throughout the development process.

What is the difference between Cpu vs Network Administrator?

AspectCpuNetwork Administrator
Required CredentialsCompTIA A+, Network+, or similar certificationsCompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or similar certifications
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, IT departmentsOffice settings, data centers, network operation centers
Industry UsageIT, technology, data managementIT, telecommunications, enterprise networks
Common Search/ComparisonCpu vs Network Administrator

While both Cpu and Network Administrator roles are essential in IT, Cpu typically refers to the central processing unit in computers, focusing on hardware and processing power. Network Administrators manage and maintain network infrastructure, ensuring connectivity and security. Understanding their differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within the IT industry.

What are popular job titles related to Cpu jobs in California?

For Cpu jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cpu jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Cpu jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Cpu jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cpu job openings:

Infographic showing various Cpu job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,818 per year, or $32.6 per hour.

Senior CPU Performance Architect

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA

$196K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 245 rated software companies


Job description

Do you want to help drive the development of CPU technology for architectures used for artificial intelligence (AI) / deep learning (DL), high-performance computing (HPC), cloud service providers (CSP), gaming, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles? 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, both on silicon and full-system simulator.

  • Study workloads for a wide range of markets, including AI/DL, CSP, HPC, and autonomous vehicles.

  • Study real world use-cases and identify critical application behavior and reduce to directed test cases.

  • Analyze and debug performance scaling bottlenecks on multi-core and multi-socket CPU and CPU/GPU systems.

  • Work with CPU and interconnect architects to improve future CPU and system designs based on your findings.

  • Benchmark NVIDIA's CPU offerings against competition and suggest software or hardware improvements.

What we need to see:

  • BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.

  • 12+ years of relevant experience.

  • Experience with CPU workloads and performance analysis.

  • Knowledge of performance test development and benchmarking for CPU and I/O.

  • Deep knowledge of CPU microarchitecture and system architecture.

  • Experience with the ARM instruction set architecture (ISA) preferable but not required.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • PhD or Research experience.

  • GPU driver experience.

  • Knowledge of GPU-accelerated workloads andmodeling performance of accelerated workloads.

  • Experience with performance optimization of AI frameworks such as PyTorch.

NVIDIA is a global leader in accelerated computing, delivering breakthroughs in AI, HPC, and advanced system design. Our technologies power transformative applications across industries - from robotics and autonomous vehicles to healthcare and climate research.With the introduction of theGrace CPU Superchip, and more recently, the announcement of the Vera CPU, NVIDIA has expanded into the CPU server market, complementing our world-class GPUs and SoCs. These CPUs play a critical role in orchestrating complex workloads with exceptional performance-per-watt efficiency. The CPU architecture team is driving innovations that integrate seamlessly with NVIDIA's broader technology stack, enabling faster AI model training, agentic use-cases, efficient data processing, and scalable cloud deployments.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5, and 272,000 USD - 431,250 USD for Level 6.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until April 12, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993