At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of next-gen CPU microarchitecture and mentor junior engineers.
- Company: Global tech leader with a strong focus on innovation and R&D.
- Benefits: World-class salary, relocation assistance, visa sponsorship, and career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team shaping the future of mobile and compute platforms.
- Qualifications: MSc or PhD in relevant fields and hands-on CPU microarchitecture experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Our client is one of the world's leading technology companies with over 200,000 employees and operating in 170 countries around the world. Their spirit of innovation has led our client to work in close partnership with leading academic institutions in the UK to develop and refine the latest technologies, having invested in dedicated R&D facilities and teams in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh, and Ipswich (which are part of a global R&D team of almost 100,000 people). We are looking for a Principal CPU Microarchitect to ideally be based in the Cambridge office and will offer a world-class remuneration package and our client can offer relocation assistance and visa sponsorship.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Principal CPU Microarchitect to join the Kirin CPU Team at our client's R&D facility in Cambridge, UK, working on next-generation out-of-order processor cores powering our client's flagship mobile and compute platforms. You will define and evaluate microarchitectural features across the front-end, execution engine, and memory subsystem through cycle-accurate modelling and rigorous workload analysis, with a focus on workload-driven innovation for demanding mobile workloads. This is a pure microarchitecture and architecture modelling role, working closely with compiler, runtime, and downstream design teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and specify microarchitectural features across pipeline stages — fetch/decode, OoO execution, LSU, prefetchers, branch prediction, and cache hierarchy.
- Build and maintain cycle-accurate performance models (gem5 or equivalent) to evaluate new features against SPEC CPU 2017 and representative mobile workloads.
- Drive workload analysis combining cycle-accurate gem5 modelling with simpleperf, hardware counters, and trace-based methods to identify bottlenecks and quantify uplift opportunities.
- Co-design ISA extensions with compiler and runtime teams, including ISA extensions, prefetch hints, and semantic acceleration primitives.
- Author detailed microarchitecture specifications and partner with design teams on implementation trade-offs.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the team's technical direction across multiple parallel tracks (prefetch, semantic acceleration, AI4CPU).
Required Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience.
- Hands-on CPU microarchitecture experience on out-of-order cores.
- Deep working knowledge of at least one major area: branch prediction, prefetching, OoO execution, memory subsystem, or cache coherence.
- Proven experience with cycle-accurate simulators (gem5 or proprietary equivalents).
- Strong workload analysis skills — performance counter methodology, top-down analysis, trace inspection.
- Proficient in C++ and Python for modelling, analysis tooling, and automation.
- Familiarity with ARMv8/v9, Intel x86_64 or RISC‑V ISA at the microarchitectural level.
- PhD in computer architecture with publications at ISCA, MICRO, HPCA, or ASPLOS.
- Experience with dynamic language runtimes (V8, SpiderMonkey, ArkCompiler) and JIT/AOT code generation.
- Exposure to AI/ML inference workloads on CPU and CPU‑NPU co‑design.
- Track record of features that shipped in production silicon.
- Familiarity with LLM‑driven design exploration or agentic optimisation flows.
Principal CPU Microarchitect in Cambridge employer: MBR Partners
As a leading technology company with a global presence, our client offers an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Based in the vibrant city of Cambridge, employees benefit from world-class remuneration packages, relocation assistance, and visa sponsorship, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship within a dynamic R&D team. The company's commitment to cutting-edge research and development ensures that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal CPU Microarchitect in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at MBR Partners or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal CPU Microarchitect in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at MBR Partners.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at MBR Partners and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at MBR Partners
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If MBR Partners uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
