Senior CPU Power Architect at NVIDIA

Santa Clara, California, United States

NVIDIA Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Semiconductors, AI, High-Performance ComputingIndustries

Requirements

  • BS/MS in EE, CE, or CS or equivalent experience
  • 3+ years of experience working in ASIC power measurement and optimization
  • Strong understanding of leakage and dynamic power in VLSI circuits
  • Experience with RTL and netlist power analysis tools such as Power Artist, PrimeTime PX, or equivalent
  • Familiarity with CPU microarchitecture (CPU pipeline design, out-of-order execution, cache hierarchy, branch prediction) and understanding of microarchitectural power model

Responsibilities

  • Pre-silicon Power Estimation: Model and estimate CPU power at C-model, RTL, and netlist stages using industry-standard tools
  • Power Optimization: Identify inefficiencies and drive design improvements in collaboration with architects, RTL designers, and PD engineers
  • Test Development: Create targeted power characterization tests (e.g., peak power, di/dt stress patterns) for both simulation and silicon
  • Silicon Validation: Measure CPU power and performance in the lab; correlate silicon results with pre-silicon estimates to refine models
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with multiple engineering disciplines to achieve optimal power efficiency without compromising performance

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

CPU microarchitectureRTL power analysisnetlist power analysisPower ArtistPrimeTime PXpower estimationleakage powerdynamic powerVLSIDVFSclock gatingpower gatingsilicon validationPythonASIC

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for this Senior CPU Power Architect position?

The base salary range is 148,000 USD - 235,750 USD for Level 3, and 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, determined based on location, experience, and pay of employees in similar positions.

Is this a remote position or does it require working in an office?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What skills are required for the Senior CPU Power Architect role?

Required skills include 3+ years of experience in ASIC power measurement and optimization, strong understanding of leakage and dynamic power in VLSI circuits, experience with RTL and netlist power analysis tools such as Power Artist or PrimeTime PX, and familiarity with CPU microarchitecture including pipeline design, out-of-order execution, cache hierarchy, and branch prediction.

What is the company culture like at NVIDIA for this role?

The role involves cross-functional collaboration with architecture, RTL, physical design, and validation teams to achieve optimal power efficiency, within a global leader driving innovations in AI, HPC, and advanced system design as part of the CPU architecture team.

What makes a candidate stand out for this position?

Candidates stand out with proficiency in Python for automation and data analysis, experience with DVFS, clock gating, power gating, and multi-voltage domain design, knowledge of lab instrumentation for power measurement, and strong communication skills for cross-team technical discussions.

NVIDIA

Designs GPUs and AI computing solutions

About NVIDIA

NVIDIA designs and manufactures graphics processing units (GPUs) and system on a chip units (SoCs) for various markets, including gaming, professional visualization, data centers, and automotive. Their products include GPUs tailored for gaming and professional use, as well as platforms for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) that cater to developers, data scientists, and IT administrators. NVIDIA generates revenue through the sale of hardware, software solutions, and cloud-based services, such as NVIDIA CloudXR and NGC, which enhance experiences in AI, machine learning, and computer vision. What sets NVIDIA apart from competitors is its strong focus on research and development, allowing it to maintain a leadership position in a competitive market. The company's goal is to drive innovation and provide advanced solutions that meet the needs of a diverse clientele, including gamers, researchers, and enterprises.

Santa Clara, CaliforniaHeadquarters
1993Year Founded
$19.5MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Automotive & Transportation, Enterprise Software, AI & Machine Learning, GamingIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Company Equity
401(k) Company Match

Risks

Increased competition from AI startups like xAI could challenge NVIDIA's market position.
Serve Robotics' expansion may divert resources from NVIDIA's core GPU and AI businesses.
Integration of VinBrain may pose challenges and distract from NVIDIA's primary operations.

Differentiation

NVIDIA leads in AI and HPC solutions with cutting-edge GPU technology.
The company excels in diverse markets, including gaming, data centers, and autonomous vehicles.
NVIDIA's cloud services, like CloudXR, offer scalable solutions for AI and machine learning.

Upsides

Acquisition of VinBrain enhances NVIDIA's AI capabilities in the healthcare sector.
Investment in Nebius Group boosts NVIDIA's AI infrastructure and cloud platform offerings.
Serve Robotics' expansion, backed by NVIDIA, highlights growth in autonomous delivery services.

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