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Performance Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Core Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$178K - $218K/yr

The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.

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 ...

Work along with a team of performance engineers to research, model and develop architecture / micro-architecture ideas to build state-of-the-art performance processors that reach our aggressive ...

CPU Performance Architect

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$122K - $172K/yr

Invents, conceptualizes, and specifies architectural and microarchitecture features to deliver optimized CPU requirements for multiple segments from high-performance computing to extreme low power ...

CPU Performance Architect

Austin, TX ยท 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 ...

Senior Performance Architect, Nemotron

Redmond, WA ยท On-site

$187K/yr

We are now looking for a Senior Performance Architect for Nemotron! At NVIDIA, we are redefining the future of AI systems through deep model-system-hardware co-design. We are looking for a forward ...

The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.

Core Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$158K - $194K/yr

The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.

The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.

Core Performance Architect

Berkeley, CA ยท On-site

$254K - $310K/yr

The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.

Core Performance Architect

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$158K - $194K/yr

The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.

Core Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$178K - $218K/yr

Work along with a team of performance engineers to research, model and develop architecture / micro-architecture ideas to build state-of-the-art performance processors that reach our aggressive ...

SoC Performance Architect

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$151K - $251K/yr

Role and Responsibilities As a SoC Performance Architect, you will primarily be responsible for driving the modeling and analysis of new SoC architectures and features for next generation mobile ...

CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA ยท 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 ...

Showing results 21-40

Performance Architect information

See salary details

$156.5K

$168K

How much do performance architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for performance 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 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 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 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 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.

What cities are hiring for Performance Architect jobs? Cities with the most Performance Architect job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Performance Architect jobs? The most popular types of Performance Architect jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Performance Architect jobs? The top employers for Performance Architect jobs are:
What states have the most Performance Architect jobs? States with the most job openings for Performance Architect jobs include:
Infographic showing various Performance Architect job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,842 per year, or $80.7 per hour.

Core Performance Architect

SiFive

Santa Clara, CA โ€ข On-site

$178K - $218K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

About SiFive
As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive's unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits.
At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.
Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Solutions that will have a huge impact on people's lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time.
Are you ready?
To learn more about SiFive's phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA's prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.
Job Description:
SiFive, a leader in RISC-V CPU IPs, is looking for an experienced leader in helping SiFive to research and develop next generation high performance processors. The performance architect will guide the performance team to work closely with the architect and the design team to research and develop the highest performance core architecture / micro-architecture.
Responsibilities:
  • Work along with a team of performance engineers to research, model and develop architecture / micro-architecture ideas to build state-of-the-art performance processors that reach our aggressive performance targets.
  • Design and carry out experiments to research and develop architecture / micro-architecture features
  • Work with the design team to implement and deliver performance target in RTL

Requirements:
  • MS in Computer Science / Computer Architecture
  • 3+ years of experience in high performance processor development
  • 3+ years involved in the engineering team to deliver HW or SW products.
  • Hands-on expertise with either HW development (RTL/implementation flows, verification/validation, backend flows, FPGA flows); FPGA debug, including the use of Integrated Logic Analyzer for waveform capture and debug
  • Knowledge in analyzing performance bottlenecks in micro-architecture and software stack. Awareness of potential security holes is a plus.
  • Good foundation in computer architecture of high performance out-of-order CPU designs. Awareness of known industry micro-architectures is a plus.
  • Good foundation in workload characterization to identify HW/SW performance bottlenecks
  • Good foundation in workload reduction techniques for efficient performance simulation and projection

Pay & Benefits
Consistent with SiFive values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. We have a market-based pay structure which varies by location. Please note that the base pay range is a guideline, and our compensation range reflects the cost of labor in the U.S. geographic market based on the location of the role. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and relevant work experience.
For candidates who receive and offer, the starting salary will vary based on various factors including, but not limited to, such qualifications as, skill level, competencies, and work location. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee.
Base Pay Range
$178,848.00-$218,592.00
In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for variable/ incentive compensation and/ or equity. In addition, this role is eligible for a comprehensive, competitive benefits package which may include healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and more!
Additional Information:
This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in
United States of America
Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are a authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any necessary export license(s) or other approvals.
SiFive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
As an E-Verify employer, we use this system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. All applicants will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, upon hire. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job candidates and will comply with all E-Verify regulations.
California residents: please see our job candidate notice for more information on how we handle your personal information and your privacy rights: Privacy Policy Document.