Technical Intern, CPU Architecture

Description
Invent the future with us.
Ampere is a semiconductor design company for a new era, leading the future of computing with an innovative approach to CPU design focused on high-performance, energy efficient AI compute.
As a pioneer in the new frontier of energy efficient high-performance computing, Ampere is part of the Softbank Group of companies driving sustainable computing for AI, Cloud, and edge applications.
Join us at Ampere and work alongside a passionate and growing team - we’d love to have you apply!
About The Role
A Performance Architect participates in the architectural definition of new systems, especially those tailored for demanding modern workloads such as AI language models and large-scale compute infrastructures, by assessing trade-offs from the systems performance perspective. In this position, you would use mean value analysis to assess these trade-offs pre-silicon, by applying an existing systems performance model driven with workload characterization data. You would also create new tools to facilitate capturing data through silicon and pre-silicon measurements. This position also requires the harvesting and analysis of workload characterization data from existing systems, which is distilled and used to drive the performance model.
The Ampere Architecture Group team turns ideas into reality. We are a group of technologists with tremendous experience shipping dozens of server products at multiple semiconductor companies. By listening to customers, driving industry standard protocols, and designing high-performance IPs and SoCs, Architects push products forward past the bleeding edge of microprocessor design. Architects are resourceful, and craft well-tuned designs to meet ecosystem requirements in a timely cadence, ultimately delighting Ampere’s cloud customers.
The Ampere Internship program focuses on you to build your networks, support your efforts in making an impact, and giving you exposure to what Ampere does and how Ampere operates across the company. We want you to leave with the feeling that what you've worked on made a difference, a new level of confidence of what you're capable of, technical expertise, and a new network of contacts.
Internship period is full-time for summer 2026 (May/June - August/September)
What You’ll Achieve

Learning the CPU performance model from senior team members and helping to develop, deploy, and run microarchitecture studies for future products.
Working with microarchitecture designers in performing studies on current and future generation of CPUs.
Driving performance correlation of models using post-silicon measurement data or pre-silicon simulation results.
Collecting silicon performance measurements and understanding how to vet data and filter anomalous results.
Developing automated performance testing and data post-processing.
Developing visualization tools to assist in performance analysis.
Running micro-benchmarks and creating supporting models/relationships using the collected data
Developing spreadsheet macros to further prepare/present performance data in appropriate formats.
Investigating performance anomalies with help from senior performance architects.
Developing functional/performance model of the hardware in C++ or System C.
Fitting curves and running trendline analysis using R.
Analyzing the performance characteristics of emerging workloads, including those from AI language models and large-scale distributed systems.
About You

Strong skills in C++ and/or SystemC
Strong skills in Python or other scripting languages
Experience with automation, scripting, and performance tools
Experience with performance benchmarks: analysis and optimization
Experience developing and correlating performance/simulation models
Experience in Excel, including Visual Basic, Pivot Tables, Macros
Experience in R statistical package
Experience using hardware performance counters.
Basic understanding of computer systems performance principles, e.g. Amdahl’s Law, Queuing Theory, mean value analysis.
Understanding of CPU microarchitecture
Comfortable in using a Linux development environment
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
Familiarity with the architectural structure and computational demands of AI language models.
Understanding of or experience with performance analysis in large-scale compute environments.
Education
Currently pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering, or related field. Master’s degree will also be considered.
What We’ll Offer
At Ampere we believe in taking care of our interns and providing a competitive rewards package that includes an hourly rate and comprehensive benefits. The pay range for this role at the PhD level is between $55 and $62 per hour.
Benefits Highlights Include

Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance
Mentorship and on-the-job training from industry experts
Ergo friendly desk set-up
Vibrant game rooms to take a break and bond with colleagues
Micro-kitchens with a variety of healthy snacks, espresso, and refreshing drinks
And there is much more than compensation and benefits. At Ampere, we foster an inclusive culture that empowers our interns to do more and grow more. We are excited to share more about our internship opportunities with you through the interview process.
Internships are open to all eligible students regardless of age including veterans who returned to school.
Ampere is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, age, veteran and/or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.