Performance Architect

Job Title: Performance Architect Job Description
We are seeking a skilled Performance Architect to develop and enhance system-level performance models for AI workloads and compute architectures. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in building simulation frameworks and collaborating with various teams to optimize system performance.
Responsibilities
- Develop system-level performance models for AI workloads and compute architectures.
- Build simulation frameworks that capture interactions between AI models, software runtimes, and hardware systems.
- Model key components of SoC architecture, including compute units, memory hierarchies, and interconnects.
- Incorporate relevant software and runtime behavior into modeling frameworks to reflect realistic system execution.
- Analyze system bottlenecks and evaluate architectural tradeoffs across the platform.
- Work closely with hardware architects to guide microarchitectural and system-level design decisions.
- Collaborate with software and ML teams to incorporate realistic workloads into modeling.
- Use modeling and simulation to evaluate performance, latency, throughput, and energy efficiency across target applications.
Essential Skills
- Strong background in computer architecture, system architecture, or performance modeling.
- Experience building simulation or analytical models of complex hardware systems.
- Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages for modeling and simulation.
- Understanding of modern compute architectures such as CPUs, GPUs, or AI accelerators.
- Ability to analyze complex systems and identify performance bottlenecks.
- Strong quantitative reasoning and ability to translate models into architectural insights.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience modeling AI workloads or machine learning systems.
- Familiarity with architectural simulators or performance modeling tools.
- Experience with memory systems, interconnect architectures, or accelerator design.
- Exposure to hardwaresoftware co-design methodologies.
- Experience modeling performance across multiple layers of the stack, including software runtimes and hardware platforms.
Work Environment
This position offers a remote work environment, allowing flexibility and the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams across different locations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Santa Clara, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $200000.00 - $300000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.