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November 19, 2025

Senior CPU Power Architect

Senior • On-site

$148,000 - $235,750/yr

Santa Clara, CA

Are you interested for pushing the boundaries in hardware architectures for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Learning (DL), autonomous vehicles, and High-Performance Computing (HPC)? NVIDIA is seeking a skilled CPU Power Architect to own and optimize CPU power efficiency across the full design cycle – from early modeling to silicon validation.  You will collaborate with architecture, RTL, physical design, and validation teams to ensure our CPUs meet aggressive performance-per-watt targets.

What you’ll be doing:

  • 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.

What we need to see:

  • 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.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • 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.

  • Strong communication skills for cross-team technical discussions.

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, 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, efficient data processing, and scalable cloud deployments.

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

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 22, 2025.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse 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.