CPU Performance – Microarchitecture Exploration Engineer; Senior​/Principal

CPU Performance – Microarchitecture Exploration Engineer (Senior/Principal)

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Arm is the industry's leading supplier of microprocessor technology, offering the widest range of microprocessor cores to address the performance, power, and cost requirements for almost all application markets. With a vibrant ecosystem of over 1,000 partners and more than 150 billion processors shipped, our technology is at the heart of a computing and connectivity revolution that continues to transform the way people live and businesses operate.

The CPU Performance team is part of Arm’s worldwide CPU development group. This diverse, engineering-focused team defines, designs, and validates Arm processor IP, collaborating with the world’s leading technology companies to enable innovation across billions of devices.

We are seeking a Senior uArch Exploration Engineer to join our CPU Performance team in Austin or Raleigh. In this role, you will focus on defining the microarchitecture for Arm’s next‑generation Cortex‑X and Neoverse CPUs. You will help shape CPU designs by building and analyzing performance models, studying workloads, and evaluating new ideas for performance, power, and efficiency. This is a highly collaborative role, working with CPU architects, designers, and partners to influence future CPU directions.

• Define and explore new CPU microarchitecture concepts for performance, power, and efficiency.
• Build and refine performance models (cycle‑accurate and functional simulators).
• Analyze workloads and performance sensitivities to guide design trade‑offs.
• Collaborate with architects and design engineers to translate ideas into practical designs.
• Engage with partners to understand performance requirements and workload expectations.
• Present technical analysis and recommendations clearly across diverse audiences.

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• 5–10 years of experience in CPU microarchitecture development, performance modeling, or workload analysis.
• Strong understanding of CPU microarchitecture fundamentals and performance/power/area trade‑offs.
• Hands‑on experience with simulators (cycle‑accurate, functional) and modeling infrastructure.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

• Experience with workload characterization and benchmarking.
• Familiarity with advanced software engineering practices and profiling tools.
• Exposure to customer or partner‑facing technical discussions.

At Arm, you will thrive in a highly stimulating and collaborative environment. You will be encouraged to share your ideas and experiences, while learning new skills from the best engineers in the world. We work in small teams, so your contributions are important, and your work will make a real difference! Our 10x mindset guides how we engineer, collaborate, and grow.

Understand what it means and how to reflect 10x in your work:

$191,100–$258,500 per year

At Arm, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email  To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by Arm to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation.

Arm’s approach to hybrid working is designed to create a working environment that supports both high performance and personal wellbeing. We believe in bringing people together face‑to‑face to enable us to work at pace, whilst recognizing the value of flexibility. Within that framework, we empower groups/teams to determine their own hybrid working patterns, depending on the work and the team’s needs.

Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution.

Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.