Director, GPU Compilers

Samsung Electronics America; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 222,000 - 365,000; Full time

Job summary

Samsung Electronics America invites a veteran to lead the System Software team at SARC/ACL in Austin, overseeing GPU compiler development for mobile graphics. You will guide architecture-aligned efforts, mentor engineers, and drive annual compiler updates for new hardware features and optimizations.

Requirements include 15+ years in software with advanced degrees or equivalent, strong C++/Python skills, and a background in shader/compiler tech.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience with a Bachelor's in CS/CE or 13+ with a Master's or 11+ with a PhD.
• 10+ years managing software engineers who produced system-level software.
• Deep understanding of compiler back-end tech and at least 2 compilation systems.
• Sufficient experience with modern C++ and Python to read and understand code.
• Practical experience developing JIT compilers or compilers for shader languages.
• Knowledge of OpenGL/OpenGL-ES, OpenCL, SPIRV.
• Compiler development for mobile architectures is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of Android ecosystem is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers to deliver compiler software for Samsung GPUs.
• Annual updates to address optimizations, new hardware features, and front-end changes.
• Provide technical leadership by researching advances in compilers and tooling.
• Implement register allocation, instruction scheduling, and graphics optimizations.
• Coordinate with architecture and engineering leads on next-gen support.
• Present objectives and progress to senior leadership on a regular basis.
• Document and submit team IP for protection after major releases.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and coach engineers.

Skills

Compiler back-end

Team management

C++ / Python

OpenGL / OpenGL-ES

JIT compilers

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

JIT toolchains

Shader compilers

Android ecosystem

Job description

Position Summary

Samsung, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, is founded on a simple philosophy – the endless pursuit of excellence will create a better world for all. At Samsung Austin Research and Development Center (SARC) and Advanced Computing Lab (ACL), we are building a center of excellence for Intellectual Property (IP) that is applied to high-performance computing devices consumed by millions of people around the world. Come build with us!

Role and Responsibilities

• The Director of GPU Compilers manages a team of engineers to deliver compiler software for Samsung GPUs, which are packaged as a part of Samsung SOC’s.
• This team only supports a common back end, which translate intermediate representations into machine language.
• In this role, you will ensure the compiler is updated on an annual basis to address the needs of new optimizations, new hardware features, new front-end features that require back-end support, and improving correctness.
• Provide technical leadership by researching advances in compilers, software engineering, graphics, and related disciplines, and translating them into improvements to the compiler back end through prototyping, open-source contributions, AI-assisted tools, and supervised engineering experiments.
• Implement register allocation, instruction scheduling, graphics‑specific optimizations, SIMD relevant control flow, and code placement optimizations.
• Apply classic machine independent optimizations, preferably on low‑level IRs.
• Optimize applications to reduce execution time, memory usage, or power usage.
• Lead the annual planning process for next-generation hardware support, including effort estimation and cross‑functional negotiation with architecture and engineering leads.
• Present team objectives, key results, and periodic activity summaries to senior leadership.
• Coordinate and communicate regularly with peer teams, architecture leads, and senior management to align priorities and share progress.
• Hold regular one‑on‑one and team meetings to review status, maintain focus on priorities, and report progress up the management chain.
• Document and submit team‑generated intellectual property for protection following major releases.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and deliver feedback to each team member.
• Recognize strong performance and support each engineer’s professional development through regular coaching and mentorship.

Skills and Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Computer Engineering/relevant technical field, or 13+ years of experience with a Master’s degree, or 11+ years of experience with a PhD
• 10+ years of experience managing software engineers who produced system‑level software (compiler, operating systems, etc.)
• Must have an in‑depth understanding of compiler back‑end technology and experience building or enhancing at least 2 different compilation systems
• Sufficient experience with modern C++ and Python to read and understand code
• Practical experience developing JIT compilers or compilers for shader languages
• Knowledge of OpenGL/OpenGL‑ES, OpenCL, SPIRV
• Compiler development for mobile architectures is highly preferred
• Knowledge of Android ecosystem is a plus

Our Team

The System Software team is part of SARC/ACL GPU Software Development organization, focused on designing and developing cutting‑edge graphics hardware and drivers to deliver a world‑class mobile graphics experience. As the first to bring Ray Tracing and console‑quality graphics to the mobile platform, we collaborate closely with leading game engine providers to push boundaries, innovate across key differentiating areas of Samsung’s power‑and performance‑optimized GPU IP, and redefine the mobile gaming experience for users worldwide. At SARC/ACL, you will work alongside a diverse global task force with cross‑functional impact, contributing to multiple stages of the technology development cycle and seeing your work in real‑world products. Here your bold ideas are encouraged, learning always happens, and teamwork fuels our innovation.

Total Rewards

At Samsung – SARC/ACL, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role.

The base pay range for this role is between $221,700 and $364,800. Your actual base pay will depend on variables that may include your education skills, qualifications, experience, and work location.

This is an exempt position, which is not eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

• medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), free onsite lunch, employee purchase program, tuition assistance (after 6 months), paid time off, wellness incentives, and many more.

In addition, regular full‑time employees (salaried or hourly) are eligible for MBO bonus compensation, based on company, division, and individual performance. Additionally, this role might be eligible to participate in long term incentive plan and relocation.

Trade Secrets

By submitting an application, you agree not to disclose to Samsung or induce or encourage Samsung to use any confidential or proprietary information (including trade secrets) belonging to a current or former employer or other entity.

U.S. Export Control

This role may require access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Applicants must be authorized to access such information or eligible for government authorization.

#SARC #ACL * Please visit Samsung membership to see Privacy Policy, which defaults according to your location. You can change Country/Language at the bottom of the page. If you are European Economic Resident, please click here. * Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to employing a diverse workforce, and provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Samsung Electronics is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, and network systems, and the entire semiconductor industry with our memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. Samsung is also leading in the development of the Internet of Things through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. Since being established in 1969, Samsung Electronics has grown into one of the world’s leading technology companies, and become recognized as one of the top global brands. Our network now extends across the world, and Samsung takes great pride in the creativity and diversity of its talented people, who drive our growth. To discover more, please visit our official newsroom at (https://news.samsung.com/global/).