NPU Architect Engineer, Multimedia Lab

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 317,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking strong video codec design engineers to build hardware accelerators for advanced video encoding and processing. You will work on architecture design, performance analysis, and optimization for next-generation chips, focusing on NPU modules and DL inference performance.

You will model throughput and memory, define chip specifications, and drive HW-SW co-optimization with cross-disciplinary teams. Experience with SoC subsystems and FPGA emulation is valued.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or above in Microelectronics, Electronic Engineering, Integrated Circuits, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Tensor Core; relevant experience in hardware acceleration for large language models.
• Solid knowledge of computer architecture and digital integrated circuit design.
• Familiarity with deep learning algorithms in areas such as large language models and CNNs.
• Familiarity with distributed frameworks for large language model inference; understanding of how to compute the performance of AI model inference on chips.
• Strong independent problem-solving skills, good communication and teamwork abilities, a strong desire to learn, the initiative to stay current with evolving trends in AI algorithms and chip architecture, and a forward-looking technical vision.

Responsibilities

• Design hardware architecture, perform architectural performance analysis, and optimize key NPU modules in next-gen chips.
• Model and analyze performance of DL algorithms on chip systems; specify compute throughput, bandwidth, and memory.
• Optimize architecture for real-world app scenarios, enabling HW-SW co-optimization.
• Write architecture specifications and guide design, optimization, and verification of microarchitecture.

Skills

Tensor Core familiarity

DL hardware acceleration

Computer architecture

DL model inference on chips

Teamwork and communication

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree or above in Microelectronics/ Electronic Eng/ ICs/ CS

Tools

Palladium

ZeBu

FPGA prototyping

JasperGold

Job description

Our team is building industry-leading, highly efficient, and scalable video codec hardware solutions (FPGA and ASIC) from the ground up to better serve billions of users. We are looking for strong video codec design engineers to design hardware accelerators for advanced video encoding and processing. The successful candidate will be part of a fast-growing team that includes algorithm, architecture, software, firmware, and hardware design and verification experts with a dedication to technical excellence and a passion to build large-scale and high-performing video platforms and services.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the hardware architecture design, architectural performance analysis, and optimization of key NPU modules in next-generation chips.
• Responsible for performance modeling and analysis of emerging deep learning algorithms on chip systems; deliver inference performance for different models and assist in defining chip specifications such as compute throughput, bandwidth, and memory.
• Responsible for architecture optimization targeting real-world application scenarios, achieving hardware-software co-optimization design.
• Responsible for authoring architecture specification documents for key chip modules, and guiding the design implementation, optimization, and verification of the microarchitecture.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualification(s):-
• Master's degree or above in Microelectronics, Electronic Engineering, Integrated Circuits, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Tensor Core; relevant experience in hardware acceleration for large language models.
• Solid knowledge of computer architecture and digital integrated circuit design.
• Familiarity with deep learning algorithms in areas such as large language models and CNNs.
• Familiarity with distributed frameworks for large language model inference; understanding of how to compute the performance of AI model inference on chips.
• Strong independent problem-solving skills, good communication and teamwork abilities, a strong desire to learn, the initiative to stay current with evolving trends in AI algorithms and chip architecture, and a forward-looking technical vision.
• Preferred Qualification(s):-
• Tape-out experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with the architecture, protocols, and complex data flows of core SoC subsystems (e.g., CPU/NPU clusters, Memory subsystems, NoC).
• Hands-on experience with Hardware Emulation (Palladium, ZeBu) or FPGA prototyping platforms.
• Proficiency in Formal Verification methodologies and tools (e.g., JasperGold).
• Experience in SoC-level Performance and Power-Aware (PA) verification.

Job Information

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $162000 - $316800 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).

The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates

1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Why Join Us

Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.

We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.

Diversity & Inclusion

TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.

TikTok Accommodation

TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/RA-request

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