Principal SoC Performance Architect-Microbenchmarks

WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you’ll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world’s most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career. THE ROLE: AMD is looking for an outstanding technical contributor to drive performance analysis, characterization, and optimization of next-generation Data Center GPU (DCGPU) platforms.This role focuses on extracting maximum performance across the full system stack—including hardware, firmware, drivers, runtime, libraries, and workloads—through deep architectural understanding and data-driven methodologies. The engineer will develop and maintain microbenchmarks and system-level workloads spanning pre-silicon and post-silicon environments to enable performance validation, debug, and optimization.THE PERSON: As a passionate and technically strong Principal SoC Performance Engineer, you will work on highly parallel SoC architectures, leveraging deep understanding of GPU compute, memory hierarchy, and interconnects to analyze and optimize performance across AI and HPC workloads.You will be responsible for building microbenchmark suites and workload-driven analysis frameworks that expose performance characteristics of GPU subsystems (compute, memory, IO, interconnect, collectives) and ensure continuity across pre-silicon models, emulation, and post-silicon systems.The ideal candidate combines strong hardware/software co-design expertise with hands-on experience in performance analysis, profiling, and system-level debugging. You are expected to identify bottlenecks across the entire stack—from kernels to runtime to hardware—and translate insights into actionable improvements for both current and future architectures.You thrive in a fast-paced environment, are highly data-driven, and have a deep curiosity for understanding “why” performance behaves the way it does.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Performance Analysis & OptimizationAnalyze and optimize performance of DCGPU systems across AI training, inference, and HPC workloadsIdentify bottlenecks across hardware, firmware, drivers, runtime, libraries, and applicationsPerform deep kernel-level and system-level profiling to understand performance behaviorProvide actionable insights to architecture, software, and design teams to improve performanceMicrobenchmark & Workload DevelopmentDesign and develop targeted microbenchmarks to characterize GPU subsystems (compute, memory, interconnect, collectives)Build representative system-level workloads reflecting real-world AI/HPC use casesEnsure microbenchmarks correlate to application-level performance and architectural intentMaintain and evolve benchmark suites across multiple GPU generationsPre-Silicon & Post-Silicon ContinuityEnable performance validation in pre-silicon environments (simulation/emulation/models)Correlate performance data across pre-silicon models and post-silicon measurementsDevelop methodologies to reuse workloads and microbenchmarks across the full lifecycleSupport bring-up and early silicon performance characterizationFull-Stack Performance EngineeringWork across the entire software stack: compiler, runtime, libraries, drivers, and firmwareCollaborate with ROCm / AI frameworks / kernel teams to improve performanceAnalyze interactions between workload characteristics and hardware executionOptimize key kernels (e.g., GEMMs, collectives, attention) and system-level behaviorTooling & InfrastructureDevelop and enhance performance measurement, profiling, and analysis toolsEnable scalable, repeatable workflows for benchmarking and analysisBuild automation for performance regression tracking and reportingContribute to unified infrastructure spanning pre-silicon and post-silicon environmentsCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with SoC architecture, GPU IP, software, and system teamsInfluence design decisions using data-driven performance insightsCollaborate with competitive analysis teams to understand gaps vs. industry platformsPerformance Modeling & InsightsDevelop strong intuition and/or models for performance scaling and limitsTranslate performance data into architectural feedback for future GPU designsSupport competitive benchmarking and performance projections PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:10–15+ years of experience in performance engineering for GPUs, HPC systems, or highly parallel SoCsStrong understanding of GPU architecture, parallel computing, and memory hierarchiesExperience with microbenchmark development and system-level workload analysisHands-on experience with performance profiling tools (rocprof, Nsight, perf, etc.)Experience analyzing AI/HPC workloads (LLMs, training, inference, communication libraries like RCCL/NCCL)Strong background in hardware/software co-design and performance optimizationFamiliarity with pre-silicon (simulation/emulation/models) and post-silicon performance workflowsProgramming expertise in C/C++, Python; experience with GPU programming models (HIP, CUDA, OpenCL)Strong analytical and debugging skills with a data-driven mindsetExperience working across full software stack (compiler → runtime → kernels → system)Exposure to performance modeling, scaling analysis, or competitive benchmarking is a plusPOSITION REQUIREMENTS:Proven experience working on highly parallel compute systems or SoCs (GPUs preferred)Experience developing and maintaining microbenchmarks tied to architectural featuresStrong exposure to performance analysis across pre-silicon and post-silicon environmentsSolid understanding of GPU compute, memory systems, and interconnect architecturesExperience with profiling, tracing, and performance counter analysisAbility to debug complex system-level performance issues across multiple layersMS/PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related fieldExcellent communication skills and ability to present complex performance insights clearly ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related discipline preferredThis role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.#LI-RL1Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.This posting is for an existing vacancy.