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Principal Performance Architect Microsoft Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a Principal Performance and Manufacturing Architect who has built the models, defined the specs, and seen them validated through silicon. You have owned the connection between ...

We are seeking a Senior Power and Performance Architect to influence, innovate and drive next generation power management and power features to market. As part of the Silicon Solutions Team, we ...

Overview As the Principal Memory Controller Architect, you will be part of the team creating the ... performance functions in the most efficient way possible Microsoft Silicon, Cloud Hardware, and ...

We are hiring a Principal System Power Management and Performance Architect who operates at the ambiguous boundary where workload behavior, silicon capabilities, firmware policies, and platform ...

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Principal Performance Architect Microsoft information

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$80.5K

$171.4K

$231K

How much do principal performance architect microsoft jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal performance architect microsoft in the United States is $171,382.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,000.00 and $194,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a principal performance architect at Microsoft, and how can they be addressed?

A Principal Performance Architect at Microsoft often encounters complex challenges such as optimizing large-scale systems for speed and scalability, ensuring compatibility across diverse platforms, and balancing performance improvements with security and reliability. Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams—including developers, product managers, and operations—are essential to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions. Staying current with the latest performance engineering tools and methodologies, as well as fostering a culture of continuous improvement, can help address these challenges and drive impactful results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal performance architect at Microsoft, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Performance Architect at Microsoft, you need deep expertise in software architecture, system performance analysis, and a strong background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with performance profiling tools, cloud platforms like Azure, and advanced knowledge of programming languages such as C# or C++ are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, cross-team collaboration, and communication skills help you influence technical direction and drive improvements across large-scale systems. These skills are crucial for optimizing complex architectures, ensuring scalability, and delivering high-performing solutions that meet organizational goals.

What is the difference between Principal Performance Architect Microsoft vs Performance Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Performance Architect MicrosoftPerformance Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees and certifications in performance analysis, cloud architecture, or related fieldsOften requires a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or related fields, with certifications like ISTQB or performance testing certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic roles within large organizations, focusing on system architecture and performance optimization at enterprise levelHands-on testing and analysis, often in development or QA teams, focusing on performance testing and troubleshooting
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in large tech companies like Microsoft, consulting firms, and enterprise IT departmentsUsed across software development, QA, and testing teams in various industries

The Principal Performance Architect Microsoft focuses on high-level system performance strategy and architecture, often in large enterprise environments, while Performance Engineers are more involved in hands-on testing and performance analysis during development. Both roles require strong technical skills but differ in scope and responsibilities.

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Infographic showing various Principal Performance Architect Microsoft job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,382 per year, or $82.4 per hour.

Principal Performance and Manufacturing Architect

On-site, Remote

Nvidia
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Own the physics models connecting defect mechanisms, transient behaviors, and manufacturing outcomes, ensuring all margin terms are named, sourced, and defensible.

  • Specify testing conditions and develop methodologies to detect and resolve manufacturing escapes at each stage, including defining ATE and SLT voltage, frequency, and timing parameters.

  • Author and drive alignment on the methodology documentation across teams, and own the validation plan to prove models through production and obtain sign-off.


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

NVIDIA's Silicon Co-Design Group sits at the crossroads of architecture, silicon, systems, and manufacturing, where first-principles thinking and engineering judgment at the highest level translate directly into product outcomes at scale.

We are looking for a Principal Performance and Manufacturing Architect who has built the models, defined the specs, and seen them validated through silicon. You have owned the connection between design intent and manufacturing reality, not as a reviewer or a contributor, but as the person who set the methodology and proved it worked. You turn ambiguous physical phenomena into quantified, defensible margin terms. You do not wait for data to confirm your hypothesis; you design the experiment that gets it. You improve how the organization ships products after every program.

The exceptional hire also uses AI deliberately - with proven workflow impact and the judgment to know where it compresses real work and where it introduces risk.

What you'll be doing:

  • Own the physics, from mechanism to margin.Build first-principles models connecting AVF, defect mechanisms, and DVFS transients to field FIT, system-level yield, and DPPM vs. coverage - calibrated per node and population shift - so every margin term in the V/F curve and P-state table is named, sourced, and defensible.

  • Set the screen that resolves escapes.Specify ATE and SLT voltage, frequency, and timing conditions that capture worst-case transient VF windows - making it unambiguous whether a marginal defect or timing violation is detected or escapes at every manufacturing stage.

  • Make the POR the authoritative source.Author the methodology document for each program and drive alignment across build, product definition, reliability, and test engineering - so every team is making decisions from the same model.

  • Prove the model before production.Own the per-release validation plan - split-screen experiments, sample sizes, statistical acceptance criteria, and production monitoring - through QS sign-off.

What we need to see:

  • BSEE / MSEE / PhD or equivalent experience, with 15+ years in the field.

  • Deep, hands-on understanding of how transient VF behavior develops worst-case stress conditions for marginal defects and timing violations - you know the mechanisms, not just the models.

  • Demonstrated experience building first-principles models connecting physical parameters to manufacturing outcomes, calibrated through real silicon.

  • A clear track record defining manufacturing test specifications on a shipped product, with each margin term explicitly sourced and owned.

  • Built and ran silicon validation experiments that proved models from NPI through production, not as a supporting contributor, but as the person who developed and was responsible for the experiments.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • You have applied AI to production engineering workflows - model fitting, anomaly detection, and specification generation - and can describe the outcomes and the guardrails you put in place.

  • Worked across the VF specification and manufacturing boundary on multiple nodes and can articulate how your approach evolved as defect populations shifted.

  • Led multi-functional alignment on a methodology disagreement and brought the organization to a defensible, shared decision.

  • Delivered innovative solutions on programs where the schedule did not allow a second experiment.

The payoff is that every product NVIDIA ships goes through the systems you'll help build. If that's the kind of problem you want to work on, we'd like to talk! NVIDIA is widely considered one of the technology world's most desirable employers - home to some of the most forward-thinking engineers in the industry. If you build models others depend on, set specifications that hold up through production, and make the next program better because of what you learned, we want to hear from you.

#LI-Hybrid

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 232,000 USD - 368,000 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until August 29, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive 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.

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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