Embedded CPU Architect, Platform Architecture

Apple Inc

Beaverton, OR

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
ARM (Advanced RISC Machine), Algorithms, Analysis Skills, Apple, Apple Macs, Apple iPad, Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod Applications, Architectural Analysis, Architectural Services, Automation, Benchmarking, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, CPU (Central Processing Unit), Communication Skills, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Datapath Design, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Electrical Engineering, Embedded Operating Systems, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, ISA Standards, Inference Engine, Low Power, Memory Hardware, Performance Analysis, Performance Modeling, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Perl Programming Language, Power Management, Programming Languages, Python Programming/Scripting Language, RISC Processors, Realtime Operating System, Scripting (Scripting Languages), Signal Processing, Simulation, Software Design, Software Engineering, System Architecture, Team Player, Use Cases, x86 Processors
LOCATION
Beaverton, OR
POSTED
30+ days ago

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Embedded CPU Architect to join the Platform Architecture team. In this role, you will drive performance and efficiency optimization and architectural feature exploration for Apple's embedded CPUs that power critical functions across Apple's product line.

As an Embedded CPU Architect, you will help define CPUs that are specifically designed for running embedded applications across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products. Your focus will be on understanding the unique constraints and opportunities of varied embedded use cases and translating those insights into improvements for both the software stack as well as the hardware including the CPU and its surrounding subsystem.

You will be responsible for deep-dive performance analysis of embedded workloads, identifying bottlenecks in existing microarchitectures, and proposing optimization strategies that balance performance, power efficiency, and area. Working closely with algorithm teams, software engineers, and CPU designers, you will explore ISA extensions, microarchitecture enhancements, and system-level optimizations tailored to embedded use cases.

This role requires some background in software profiling, performance modeling, and simulation environments. You will use and develop analysis tools and infrastructure to enable data-driven architectural decisions, create and analyze both real workloads and benchmarks representative of embedded workloads, and iterate with design teams to ensure ideas are implementable within power, timing, and area constraints.

  • Analyze performance characteristics of embedded workloads including real-time processing, audio DSP, always-on scenarios, and embedded ML inference
  • Collaborate with system architecture and software teams to understand use case requirements that could be unique for each environment
  • Translate findings into actionable improvements to our designs and software
  • Work with CPU design team to implement proposed improvements while balancing tradeoffs for power, timing and area
  • Provide feedback into and help develop performance models, simulators, and analysis tools used to support architectural exploration

Minimum Qualifications

  • BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar
  • CPU architecture or microarchitecture experience
  • Experience with performance simulation environments, and performance analysis or optimization of workloads
  • Experience with one or more of the following ISAs: ARM, RISC-V, x86
  • Experience in C, C++, or similar programming languages
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl for analysis and automation

Preferred Qualifications

  • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
  • 20+ years of industry experience in CPU architecture or performance analysis
  • Expertise in CPU microarchitecture in one or more of the following areas: branch prediction, prefetching, pipeline optimization, datapath, memory hierarchy
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas: embedded ML workloads and inference engines, SIMD/vector architectures for signal processing or ML, or compiler infrastructure and toolchain development for embedded workloads
  • Experience with real-time operating systems and embedded software constraints
  • Understanding of: power-performance trade-offs in CPU designs, system-level power management, and low-power design techniques
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills across hardware and software teams
  • Experience taking architectural ideas from concept through implementation

About the Company

A

Apple Inc

We bring amazing people together to make amazing things happen.

We’re a diverse collection of thinkers and doers, continually reimagining what’s possible to help us all do what we love in new ways. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, as well as with services, including iTunes, the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple Pay. And the same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices — strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it.

About Apple

There’s a place here for every kind of brilliant. Everyone here is an innovator, or an innovator-to-be, no matter what your team or your role. So bring your passion, courage, and original thinking and get ready to share it, because every new product, service, or feature we invent is the result of people working together to make each others’ ideas stronger. Innovation at this level depends on people who represent the variety of the human experience and inspire us with their own fresh perspectives. Together, we’ll do amazing work that can make a difference in people’s lives. Including your own. Learn more about working at Apple.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Computer/IT Services
FOUNDED
1976
WEBSITE
https://www.apple.com/jobs