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# Principal Performance Architect

- **Company:** Microsoft
- **Location:** United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $142,800.0 - $274,800.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Online Services, C++ (Programming Language), Computer Engineering, Python (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Software Architecture, System on a Chip, Information Technology
- **Published:** October 19, 2026
- **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/1DAE1AA4284745E38970484BE476FB5C/job/

## About the Role

* Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.

Other Requirements

 * Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
 * This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their US. residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate's citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable., * Deep understanding of computer architecture, System on Chip (SOC) and system-software architectures, and their performance tradeoffs.
 * Experience developing SOC performance modeling techniques and benchmarks from conception to microarchitecture specification.
 * Significant understanding of input/output (I/O), memory subsystems, coherency flows, interconnect, Quality of Service (QoS) traffic.
 * Knowledge of performance monitors and post-silicon SOC and performance tuning is a plus.
 * Excellent communication, collaboration and teamwork skills and ability to contribute to diverse and inclusive teams.

## Description

* Develop performance modeling methodologies by creating and owning System on Chip (SOC) / Intellectual Property (IP) cycle-accurate/approximate performance models and analysis tools in C++ and Python.
 * Use workload information and working with Micro-architects and Register Transfer Level (RTL) team to identify performance bottlenecks. Collaborate across functionally to propose architectural/microarchitectural changes and provide the required quantitative justification.
 * Leverage AI tools and infrastructure for comprehensive performance modeling, including coding, performance tuning, and analysis.
 * Verify the correlation of the SOC performance models to the RTL implementation.
 * Work closely with the product architecture System On Chip (SOC) architecture teams, IP architecture, to ensure our SOC and IPs enable performant, efficient, and industry-leading systems.
 * Demonstrate Microsoft core values: Customer Focus, Adaptability, Collaboration, Growth Mindset, Drive for Results, Influence for Impact, Judgement, and Diversity & Inclusion