--- title: Principal CPU Architect High Performance Physical description: NVIDIA is hiring for the Principal CPU Architect High Performance Physical Design role in Hillsboro, OR. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/principal-cpu-architect-high-performance-physical-design-at-nvidia-01a0b333-4ca4-7b21-8475-599b1480329c date: 2026-10-09T00:16:00Z og_description: Join NVIDIA as Principal CPU Architect High Performance Physical Design in Hillsboro, OR. Pays $272K–$431.2K per year. On-site role. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/pibu0m.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | [NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) | | **Location** | Austin, TX | | **Salary** | $272K/yr - $431.2K/yr | | **Posted** | Oct 06, 2026 | ## Description We are seeking a senior CPU architect with deep experience designing high-performance, high-frequency server-class processors. This role focuses on the interaction between CPU architecture, power-performance optimization, and physical design. The successful candidate will understand how microarchitectural and RTL decisions translate into frequency, power delivery, timing, thermal, area, and implementation constraints. The role spans CPU architecture, RTL, standard-cell and circuit-level tradeoffs, physical design, process technology, and advanced packaging. **What you'll be doing:** - Bridge the gap between architecture, RTL implementation, and physical design. - Serve as subject matter expert on power delivery/regulators, power gating, di/dt, and thermal throttling. - Analyze power trade-offs for different die stacking and packaging proposals. - Propose and drive improvements related to high-frequency design and power methodology for our custom CPU cores. **What we need to see:** - BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience. - 15 or more years of relevant experience. - Extensive background in CPU architecture and high-frequency server CPU design. - Solid understanding of power dissipation, delivery, and efficiency concepts. - Detailed understanding of process technologies and circuit design. - Knowledge of tradeoffs related to advanced packaging techniques. - Well versed in power management techniques that span the entire stack from SW, Architecture, RTL, VLSI, and process. **Ways to stand out from the crowd:** - PhD or research experience. - Advanced knowledge in the area of physical design. - Knowledge of GPU and SOC design. - Strong communication skills. NVIDIA is a global leader in accelerated computing, delivering breakthroughs in AI, HPC, and advanced system design. Our technologies power transformative applications across industries — from robotics and autonomous vehicles to healthcare and climate research. With the introduction of the Grace CPU Superchip, and more recently, the announcement of the Vera CPU, NVIDIA has expanded into the CPU server market, complementing our world-class GPUs and SoCs. These CPUs play a critical role in orchestrating complex workloads with exceptional performance-per-watt efficiency. The CPU architecture team is driving innovations that integrate seamlessly with NVIDIA’s broader technology stack, enabling faster AI model training, agentic use-cases, efficient data processing, and scalable cloud deployments. #ArchitectYourFuture Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 272,000 USD - 431,250 USD. You will also be eligible for equity and [benefits](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/benefits/). Applications for this job will be accepted at least until October 11, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy. NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes. NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law. ## Skills - CPU/Processor Architecture - VLSI Design - Circuit Design - Register Transfer Language RTL - System on Chip (SoC) Design - Advanced Packaging - Power Delivery - Power Management - Packaging - CPU Design - GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) - Computer Engineering - Computer Science - Physical Design - Electrical Engineering - Communication ## Related - [More jobs at NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Electrical Engineering jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/electrical-engineering?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [ASIC Design Engineer jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/engineering/electrical-engineering/asic-design-engineer?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [Texas](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/texas?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 250763 jobs - [Computer Hardware](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/computer-hardware?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 27841 jobs - [Austin, TX](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/texas/austin?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 26682 jobs - [NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 5031 jobs ## Related pages - [Texas](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/texas?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 250763 jobs - [Computer Hardware](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/computer-hardware?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 27841 jobs - [Austin, TX](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/texas/austin?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 26682 jobs - [NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 5031 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)