Nvidia
Nvidia

60 Nvidia Performance Architect Jobs Hiring in Santa Clara, CA

Senior CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$196.10K/yr

Benchmark NVIDIA's CPU offerings against competition and suggest software or hardware improvements ... performance-per-watt efficiency. The CPU architecture team is driving innovations that integrate ...

CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$196.10K/yr

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than ... Join our CPU Performance Architecture team in Santa Clara, CA, and be part of a company that is ...

CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$196.10K/yr

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than ... Join our CPU Performance Architecture team in Santa Clara, CA, and be part of a company that is ...

CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$196.10K/yr

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than ... Join our CPU Performance Architecture team in Santa Clara, CA, and be part of a company that is ...

NVIDIA is a global leader in accelerated computing, delivering breakthroughs in AI, HPC, and ... performance-per-watt efficiency. The CPU architecture team is driving innovations that integrate ...

NVIDIA is redefining the future of AI systems through deep model-system-hardware co-design, and they are looking for a Senior Performance Architect for Nemotron. In this role, you will develop high ...

CPU Performance Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$196.10K/yr

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than ... Join our CPU Performance Architecture team in Santa Clara, CA, and be part of a company that is ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Nvidia Jobs Information

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.

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 does a performance architect do?

A performance architect designs and implements strategies to optimize the performance, scalability, and reliability of software systems. They analyze system bottlenecks, develop performance testing plans, and often work with tools like monitoring software to ensure applications meet performance standards. Strong knowledge of system architecture, coding, and performance testing is essential for this role.

What is the highest paid type of architect?

Performance Architects, who specialize in optimizing system performance and scalability, tend to have higher salaries compared to other architecture roles due to their specialized skills in areas like cloud computing, software optimization, and infrastructure design. Senior-level Performance Architects with certifications and extensive experience can earn six-figure salaries, especially in large tech companies or financial institutions.

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 is it like to work at Nvidia?

Nvidia is known for its collaborative and innovative culture, prioritizing teamwork and creativity to drive technological advancements. The company's structure is organized into various teams, including research and development, engineering, and sales, with a focus on fostering open communication and knowledge sharing across departments. Working at Nvidia may appeal to candidates who are passionate about artificial intelligence, graphics, and high-performance computing, as the company offers opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge projects and collaborate with experts in the field.
Infographic showing various Performance Architect job openings at Nvidia in Santa Clara, CA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 12% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.
Senior CPU Performance Architect

Senior CPU Performance Architect

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$196.10K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


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.

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