Lead Software Engineer – AI Operators

NXP Semiconductors; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 5,000,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors in India seeks a Lead Software Engineer responsible for the end-to-end software stack, designing and optimizing AI operator modules for our edge AI processors. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve performance, reliability, and scalability of the software stack.

You will guide kernel development, mentor engineers, and ensure on-time delivery while staying current with emerging AI operator techniques and ISA optimizations.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on kernel or low-level systems software development.
• Deep knowledge of OS internals, memory management, process scheduling, and performance tuning.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and assembly for specialized ISA implementations.
• Strong experience with kernel debugging and profiling tools.
• Proven track record leading technical projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead evolution of AI operators/kernel architecture for performance on custom ISA edge processors.
• Develop, optimize, and maintain high-performance kernel code in C/C++ (and assembly when needed).
• Collaborate with hardware architects, compiler teams, and application developers for integration.
• Mentor engineering teams and drive on-time deliverables and quality.

Skills

Kernel development

Low-level systems

C/C++

Assembly

OS internals

Performance tuning

GDB profiling

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/EE

PhD (strong plus)

Tools

GDB

Gprof

Trace analyzers

Job description

Job Summary

As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll take ownership of the end-to-end software stack, design, implementation, and optimization of our core AI operator modules/kernels. You will be working with diverse cross-functional teams, enhance the performance, reliability, and scalability of our edge AI processors. Your contributions will directly impact our ability to deliver best-in-class Edge AI/ML performance across our product portfolio.

What You'll Do

• Architectural Leadership
  • Define and lead the evolution of our AI operators/kernel architecture to maximize performance and efficiency on our custom ISA-based hardware.
  • Evaluate cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to enhance AI operator capabilities.
  • Drive proof of concepts for addition of new operators and solutions that help improve overall performance and stability of software stack.
  • Guide developers technically to ensure on-time deliverables closure.
• Innovation & Continuous Learning
  • Stay current on emerging trends in AI operator development, and specialized ISA optimizations.
  • Champion a culture of innovation by proposing and implementing forward-thinking solutions that drive our technology forward.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with hardware architects, compiler teams, and application developers to ensure seamless integration of kernel components with higher-level systems.
  • Be a technical point of contact supporting HW and other Software cross functional teams.
• Design and Development
  • Design and Development of our AI operator modules/kernels to maximize performance and efficiency on our custom ISA-based edge AI processors.
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain high-performance kernel-level code in C/C++ (and assembly when needed) for AI/ML operators.
• Performance Optimization & Debugging
  • Utilize advanced profiling and debugging tools (e.g., GDB, trace analyzers) to diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks.
  • Drive continuous performance improvements through rigorous testing and iterative optimization strategies.

What We're Looking For

• Educational Background
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field; a Ph.D. is a strong plus.
• Proven Expertise
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience in kernel or low-level systems software development, with demonstrable contributions to production-quality code.
  • Deep knowledge of OS internals, memory management, process scheduling, and performance tuning.
  • Expertise in system-level programming using C/C++ and proficiency in assembly language for specialized ISA implementations.
• Technical Mastery
  • Strong familiarity with kernel debugging and profiling tools (e.g., GDB, Gprof, or equivalent).
  • Track record of optimizing software performance in complex, high-performance computing environments.
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Proven track record of leading technical projects and mentoring engineering teams.
  • Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple disciplines.
• Bonus Points
  • Experience with AI/ML operator development or specialized compiler optimizations.
  • Exposure to hardware/software co-design and emerging trends in AI hardware acceleration.

About NXP and Commitment

More information about NXP in India NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. For more information, visit www.nxp.com

Bright Minds. Bright Futures. We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people.

To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Commitment At NXP. We recognize NXP is a powerful change agent as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that advance a more sustainable future.

Also, we aim to create an inclusive work environment and we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or harassment of any kind.

We have programs in place focused on diversity, inclusion and equality.

Thank you for considering a career at NXP.