Back to jobs

Principal Engineer, CPU Microarchitecture

Please Note:

To provide the best candidate experience with our high application volumes, we limit applications to a total of 10 over 6 months. 

Advancing the World’s Technology Together
Our technology solutions power the tools you use every day--including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and so much more. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of a global leader whose innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and powering the future. 

We believe innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We’re dedicated to empowering people to be their true selves. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow for our employees, customers, partners, and communities.

What You’ll Do

The APL (Advanced Processor Lab) is one of the research team's of SAIT (Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology) which is Samsung‘s R&D hub, established as the incubator for cutting-edge technologies. SAIT’s mission has covered various research areas from AI applications/algorithms research, neuromorphic processor, domain-specific accelerators to new materials, quantum computing, and super computer system.

APL is committed to shaping the future of CPU processor and SoC architecture for the most demanding applications of the future like AI and HPC. We are building the foundation of processors and the related platform which are applied to various business targets of Samsung in the future. 

We are seeking an experienced CPU Micro-architect to join our high-performance CPU design team. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the development of high impact product. Role involves architecting, designing and verifying cutting edge CPU and its subsystem. This role requires both technical expertise and strong leadership skills to guide cross-functional team and ensure alignment with organization’s strategic goals.

Location: Hybrid, working onsite at our San Jose office 3 days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely the remainder of your time

Job ID: 42313

  • Lead the development of high-performance CPU architecture and microarchitecture, ensuring robust design and alignment with performance, power, and area goals.
  • Mentor and guide a team of microarchitects and RTL engineers, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovation and technical growth.
  • Set and maintain high standards of technical excellence across the team through regular design and code reviews, ensuring quality and adherence to best practices.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating new tools, methodologies, and technologies for potential integration into the microarchitecture design flow.
  • Lead efforts to establish and standardize efficient processes for CPU development, including methodologies for power, performance, and area optimization.
  • Stay current with industry trends in CPU design, identifying and exploring emerging technologies that could offer a competitive edge.
  • Contribute to the overall technical strategy of the organization, providing insights on evolving CPU microarchitecture and design methodologies.
  • Collaborate closely with other teams and Bus to align CPU microarchitecture requirements with broader organizational objectives..

What You Bring

  • Bachelors in Electrical/Computer Engineer with 20 years of relevant industry experience, or Masters in Electrical/Computer Engineer with 18 years or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineer with 10 years preferred.
  • 12+ years of experience in CPU design and microarchitecture, with hands-on experience in developing and optimizing microarchitectures for high-performance CPU cores.
  • Proven experience in CPU microarchitecture design, with a strong track record of leading successful CPU projects from inception to production.
  • Demonstrated experience in technical leadership, including project planning, team mentoring, and resource management.
  • Strong understanding of CPU architectures, instruction sets (such as x86, ARM, RISC-V), microarchitecture design principles (out-of-order, superscalar execution, multi-level caches, branch prediction, etc.), cache coherence protocols and memory subsystem.
  • Proficiency in RTL design, including experience with Verilog/SystemVerilog.
  • You’re inclusive, adapting your style to the situation and diverse global norms of our people. 
  • An avid learner, you approach challenges with curiosity and resilience, seeking data to help build understanding. 
  • You’re collaborative, building relationships, humbly offering support and openly welcoming approaches. 
  • Innovative and creative, you proactively explore new ideas and adapt quickly to change.

#LI-SF1

What We Offer
The pay range below is for all roles at this level across all US locations and functions. Individual pay rates depend on a number of factors—including the role’s function and location, as well as the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, education, and training. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance. 

This is in addition to our diverse package of benefits centered around the wellbeing of our employees and their loved ones. In addition to the usual Medical/Dental/Vision/401k, our inclusive rewards plan empowers our people to care for their whole selves. An investment in your future is an investment in ours.

Give Back With a charitable giving match and frequent opportunities to get involved, we take an active role in supporting the community.
Enjoy Time Away You’ll start with 4+ weeks of paid time off a year, plus holidays and sick leave, to rest and recharge.
Care for Family Whatever family means to you, we want to support you along the way—including a stipend for fertility care or adoption, medical travel support, and an errand service.
Prioritize Emotional Wellness With on-demand apps and paid therapy sessions, you’ll have support no matter where you are.
Stay Fit Eating well and being active are important parts of a healthy life. Our onsite Café and gym, plus virtual classes, make it easier.
Embrace Flexibility Benefits are best when you have the space to use them. That’s why we facilitate a flexible environment so you can find the right balance for you.

Base Pay Range

$177,100 - $282,900 USD

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy 

Samsung Semiconductor takes pride in being an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered to excel, regardless of race, religion, color, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, or veteran status.

When selecting team members, we prioritize talent and qualities such as humility, kindness, and dedication. We extend comprehensive accommodations throughout our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long-term conditions, neurodivergent individuals, or those requiring pregnancy-related support. All candidates scheduled for an interview will receive guidance on requesting accommodations.

Recruiting Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes. Only authorized recruitment agencies that have a current and valid agreement with Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. are permitted to submit resumes for any job openings.

Covid-19 Policy
To help keep our employees, customers, and communities safe, we’ve developed guidelines for our teams. Currently, we encourage vaccination for all employees and may require it depending on job functions (e.g., traveling for business, meeting with customers). While visiting our offices or attending team events, we ask employees to complete a daily health questionnaire and complete a weekly COVID test. Our COVID policies are subject to change depending on public health, regulatory and business circumstances. 

Applicant Privacy Policy
https://semiconductor.samsung.com/us/careers/privacy

 

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf


Employment

Select...
Select...

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Select...
Select...

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

Individuals seeking employment at [DSA] Samsung Semiconductor are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements.

Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Samsung Semiconductor’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.