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Performance Architect Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Intel

Senior CPU Performance Architect

Folsom, CA · On-site

$178K/yr

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 ...

Tenstorrent

$100K - $500K/yr

We are seeking a CPU Performance Modeling Architect to help shape the next generation of high-performance RISC-V CPUs optimized for AI and high-performance computing applications. This role is ideal ...

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Performance Architect information

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$154.5K

$165.8K

How much do performance architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for performance architect in California is $165,645.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $164,800.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Performance Architect?

A Performance Architect is a specialized IT professional responsible for designing and optimizing the performance of software systems, applications, or infrastructure. They analyze system bottlenecks, create performance testing strategies, and recommend improvements to ensure systems can handle expected workloads efficiently. Performance Architects often collaborate with developers, system administrators, and stakeholders to ensure that products meet performance requirements such as speed, scalability, and reliability.

What does a Performance Architect do?

As a performance architect, you optimize performance within a company, software system, or application. Your duties include collecting data and information on the processes you wish to optimize, identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies or process improvements to bring about those positive changes. In most cases, you test the performance of the system or process before implementing changes. Performance architects who work on computer software and hardware systems sometimes handle coding responsibilities themselves. In this job, you also help troubleshoot when problems arise with a software system, manufacturing process, or business practice.

How does a Performance Architect typically collaborate with development and operations teams to optimize system performance?

Performance Architects work closely with both development and operations teams to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks throughout the software lifecycle. They often participate in design reviews, conduct performance testing, and analyze system metrics to recommend optimizations. Regular communication and knowledge sharing are crucial, as Performance Architects translate technical findings into actionable tasks for developers and provide guidance to operations on monitoring and tuning the production environment. This collaborative approach ensures that performance goals are met efficiently and sustainably.

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

To thrive as a Performance Architect, you need deep expertise in systems architecture, performance engineering, and capacity planning, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with performance analysis tools like JMeter, LoadRunner, APM suites (e.g., Dynatrace, New Relic), and cloud platforms is crucial. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication set outstanding professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure optimized system performance, scalability, and reliability, directly impacting user experience and organizational success.

What is the difference between Performance Architect vs Performance Engineer?

AspectPerformance ArchitectPerformance Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or related field; certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect may be beneficialUsually holds a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering; certifications such as Certified Performance Testing Professional are common
Work EnvironmentDesigns high-level performance strategies, collaborates with architects and developers, often in planning phasesExecutes performance testing, analyzes bottlenecks, and implements improvements, often in testing or production environments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in cloud, enterprise, and software development companies to plan scalable systemsFound in IT, software, and technology firms focusing on system optimization and testing

Performance Architects focus on designing overall system performance strategies and architecture, while Performance Engineers concentrate on testing, analyzing, and optimizing system performance through hands-on testing and troubleshooting.

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Performance Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Performance Architect job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,645 per year, or $79.6 per hour.

Senior CPU Performance Architect

Intel

Folsom, CA • On-site

$178K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 hours ago

Intel rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Job Details:Job Description: 

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 extreme low-power products. This position offers the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of technological advancements, defining and delivering architecture specifications that directly impact Intel's success and industry leadership. Your contributions will influence the performance, scalability, and efficiency of CPUs that serve diverse market segments, from enterprise solutions to edge computing devices.
Through collaboration with cross-functional teams, you will invent novel microarchitectural approaches, overcome bottlenecks, and refine designs to meet stringent constraints and evolving demands. Your work will enable Intel to consistently push boundaries and deliver CPUs that meet and exceed customer expectations.
Key Responsibilities

  • Develops and drives end-to-end CPU microarchitecture specifications for highly optimized, modular, and scalable CPU based on hardware features, requirements, and interoperability of hardware and software throughout the product life cycle.
  • Evaluates feasibility tradeoffs, explores, and defines new approaches and novel microarchitectures for CPU.
  • Models CPU performance and power characteristics and analyzes the bottlenecks of current performance features on workloads that reflect CPU future usage.
  • Collaborates with architects, design, verification, and validation engineers during the execution of the project.
  • Delivers definition of new microarchitecture and finds mitigations for issues that arise during feature implementation to improve the overall design of CPU and overcome bottlenecks and constraints.
  • Participates in the debug and fixing of performance miscorrelation between RTL and\or silicon results against the performance model.
  • Candidate must have experience in designing high performance CPUs and should be an expert in at-least one or multiple domains across the CPU (Branch Prediction, Fetch/Decode, Rename/Allocation, Reservation Stations/Execution, Memory Subsystem or Prefetchers and its interactions with Uncore).
  • Experience in debugging microarchitecture and simulation issues.
  • Strong background in microarchitecture/RTL/logic development.
  • Proven ability to resolve complex problems, applying analytical and technical skills effectively.
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

  • The candidate must have a Master's Degree with at 10+ years of experience or a PhD (with dissertation within a general CPU performance domain) with 6+ years of experience working within a high performance, high frequency ARM or x86 CPU performance team.
  • Candidate must have at 8+ years of continuous work within cycle accurate C++ CPU performance simulators


Preferred Qualifications

  • Background in CPU microarchitecture and experience modeling features in a cycle accurate performance simulator.
  • Experience in microarchitecture exploration and identifying new features which provide IPC across the CPU.
  • Experience with CPU performance related activities from inception to real silicon (pathfinding, definition, correlation with RTL and Post-Si performance debug and tuning)
  • Experience with performance scenarios/use cases and KPI/workloads
  • Advanced skills with Object Oriented Programming (C++/STL) and scripting languages
  • Ability to write assembly and craft tests to evaluate and debug microarchitectural features
  • Ability to read/debug performance issues in RTL


Join Intel and become part of a team dedicated to transforming computing architecture for a smarter, faster, and more connected world.

Job Type:Experienced HireShift:Shift 1 (United States of America)Primary Location: US, Texas, AustinAdditional Locations:US, Arizona, Phoenix, US, California, Folsom, US, California, Santa Clara, US, Oregon, HillsboroBusiness group:Silicon and Platform Engineering Group (SPE): Deliver breakthrough silicon and platform solutions that deliver industry-leading products today while also defining the next generation of computing experiences.Posting Statement:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.Position of TrustThis role is a Position of Trust. Should you accept this position, you must consent to and pass an extended Background Investigation, which includes (subject to country law), extended education, SEC sanctions, and additional criminal and civil checks. For internals, this investigation may or may not be completed prior to starting the position. For additional questions, please contact your Recruiter.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: $190,610.00-361,480.00 USDThe 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 be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

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About Intel

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Intel strives to make every facet of semiconductor manufacturing state-of-the-art -- from semiconductor process development and manufacturing, through yield improvement to packaging, final test and optimization, and world class Supply Chain and facilities support. Employees in the Technology and Manufacturing Group are part of a worldwide network of design, development, manufacturing, and assembly/test facilities, all focused on utilizing the power of Moore's Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1968

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