System Architect

AheadComputing
AheadComputing

IT

Portland, OR, USA · Austin, TX, USA

Posted on Sep 24, 2026

Responsibilities

  • Define and document system-level architecture, data flows, memory maps, and transaction models for high-performance computing systems; specify NoC topology, power domains, clock domains, and interface requirements.
  • Define how the product is partitioned across dies, the die-to-die topology, and how memory is provisioned across the package.
  • Build and extend system-level performance models to evaluate partitioning options, die-to-die topology, memory provisioning and package composition.
  • Run workload-driven analysis to set credible targets and test whether architectural choices meet them.
  • Quantify what crosses the die boundary for a given partitioning, and what that costs in bandwidth, latency and power.
  • Correlate architectural models against detailed microarchitectural models, and both against RTL, so projections can be trusted.
  • Own the correlation methodology and the regression infrastructure that keeps it honest as the design moves.
  • Diagnose divergence between model and implementation and drive it to root cause.
  • Turn model output into architectural recommendations, with the assumptions and sensitivities stated.
  • Coordinate delivery and integration of internal and external IP, including interconnects such as PCIe, DDR, HBM, and AMBA CHI NoC.
  • Work with foundry and design service partners on SOW definition and technical deliverable management.
  • Define and drive PPA targets at chip, subsystem, and IP levels.
  • Collaborate with firmware, software, and verification teams on functional and PPA requirements.
  • Represent architecture decisions across teams, and mentor other engineers as the role grows.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • 6+ years in SoC or ASIC architecture, design or integration, or in system-level performance modelling.
  • Strong knowledge of SoC architecture and design principles.
  • Experience documenting system-level architecture requirements.
  • Experience with on-chip interconnect protocols and architectures.
  • Demonstrated experience building or substantially extending performance models used to make real design decisions.
  • Proficiency in C++ and Python for modelling, analysis and automation.
  • Ability to present a quantitative argument clearly enough to change an architectural decision.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to lead vendor discussions.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

  • RISC-V or Arm CPU architecture, including cache and memory hierarchy design.
  • AMBA CHI network-on-chip, and system-level cache behaviour.
  • Advanced packaging: 2.5D and 3D integration, chiplet architectures, and die-to-die interfaces such as UCIe, BoW and CoWoS, including partitioning and floorplan trade-offs.
  • Experience correlating a performance model against RTL on a program that reached silicon.
  • LPDDR or HBM memory subsystem modelling — scheduling, page policy, bank and rank parallelism.
  • Workload characterisation methodology, including reuse-distance and roofline analysis.
  • Foundry ecosystem familiarity, including scaling behaviour across node transitions.
  • PCIe, UCIe, DDR/LPDDR and HBM.
  • High-performance or server-class CPU experience.

What We Offer

  • Lead impactful architecture decisions shaping next-generation heterogeneous computing
  • Competitive compensation & benefits package
  • Collaboration with talented engineers passionate about cutting-edge CPU technologies.
  • Opportunities for professional growth in an innovative, fast-paced environment
  • A flexible and inclusive work culture