Performance Modelling Engineer (Contractor)

About Huawei Research and Development UK Limited Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and operate in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

Huawei’s UK Research Center is seeking a Performance Modeling Engineer to join our growing CPU Architecture team. You will be at the forefront of pioneering next-generation CPU innovations and guiding Huawei’s architectural roadmap. Using advanced modeling, simulation, and workload characterization techniques, you will evaluate potential hardware design choices, quantify their trade-offs, and provide data-driven insights that shape upcoming CPU features.

• You will design, implement, and refine performance models that accurately predict CPU microarchitecture behavior, maintaining in-house toolchains for cycle-accurate, trace-driven, or statistical simulations.
• Leveraging these models, you will assess the feasibility and cost-benefit trade-offs of new CPU features by conducting in-depth performance and power analyses.
• This includes developing new methodologies, automating workflows, and creating intuitive visualizations to reveal bottlenecks and guide optimizations.
• Working closely with architects, software engineers, and a global community of performance modeling experts, you will collaborate on design reviews, share best practices, and continuously improve our modeling strategies to inform next-generation CPU innovations.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of Huawei Research and Development UK Limited.

• Bachelor’s (BS) or Master’s (MS) degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields, with coursework or relevant experience in Computer Architecture.
• Prior hands‑on experience in performance modeling and analysis of CPU microarchitecture.
• Familiarity with cycle‑accurate, cycle‑approximate or functional simulators, microarchitecture pipelines, and common performance metrics.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for large‑scale software development, with working knowledge of Python for scripting and data analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a track record of working collaboratively in multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Able to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Experience with power models and cache system models.
• Strong software development experience, including design specification, coding, testing, and debugging.
• Experience with, or understanding of, Arm architectures (e.g., Armv8-A, Armv9-A).
• Exposure to microarchitecture‑level performance counters, or hardware‑software co‑optimization.
• Experience with RTL and SystemC simulators.
• Knowledge of System Architecture/Software.

• Innovative Environment: Engage with cutting‑edge research that shapes the future of global CPU designs.
• Global Collaboration: Collaborate with a diverse, worldwide community of performance modelers, architects, and software engineers.
• Professional Growth: Access training, mentorship, and development pathways, enabling you to specialize or broaden your expertise.
• Impactful Work: Influence CPU solutions used by millions of devices worldwide, driving real‑world performance gains.