Principal AI Systems Performance Engineer

SambaNova; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SambaNova is seeking an ML performance engineer to optimize and scale state-of-the-art foundation models on its reconfigurable dataflow platform. You will work hands-on with models like DeepSeek, GPT OSS, and others to push throughput, latency, and efficiency while coordinating with compiler, runtime, and hardware teams.

Ideal candidates have strong ML performance tuning background, proficiency in Python or C++, and experience with major ML frameworks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in deep learning model development and performance optimization.
• Experience with compiler, runtime, or kernel-level optimization.
• Software–hardware co-design or systems performance tuning.
• Proficiency in Python or C++, with strong foundations in algorithms and numerical computing.
• Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
• Ability to analyze and optimize performance in real-world ML pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Bring up and optimize foundation models on the SambaNova platform through the software stack.
• Profile and enhance model performance across compiler, runtime, and hardware layers for high throughput and low latency.
• Collaborate with ML, compiler, runtime, and hardware teams to deliver high-performance AI applications.
• Integrate advances in model architecture, quantization, scheduling, and memory optimization.
• Develop robust, scalable end-to-end inference solutions aligned with customer needs.
• Identify bottlenecks and propose dataflow or scheduling optimizations for single-node and distributed systems.

Skills

Deep learning optimization

Python

C++

Algorithms/data structures

Perf analysis

Education

Bachelor's or higher in CS/EE

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

CUDA

Triton

DeepSpeed

Megatron

vLLM

TensorRT

Job description

The era of pervasive AI has arrived. In this era, organizations will use generative AI to unlock hidden value in their data, accelerate processes, reduce costs, drive efficiency and innovation to fundamentally transform their businesses and operations at scale.

SambaNova Suite™ is the first full-stack, generative AI platform, from chip to model, optimized for enterprise and government organizations. Powered by the intelligent SN40L chip, the SambaNova Suite is a fully integrated platform, delivered on-premises or in the cloud, combined with state-of-the-art open-source models that can be easily and securely fine-tuned using customer data for greater accuracy. Once adapted with customer data, customers retain model ownership in perpetuity, so they can turn generative AI into one of their most valuable assets.

About The Role

We are seeking a talented and driven ML performance engineer to optimize and scale state-of-the‑art foundation models on SambaNova's reconfigurable dataflow platform. You'll work hands‑on with some of the most advanced models in the world — such as DeepSeek R1, GPT OSS, and other frontier architectures — to push the limits of throughput, latency, and efficiency. In this role, you'll bridge the gap between deep learning and systems performance, collaborating across compiler, runtime, and hardware layers to deliver world‑record performance for large‑scale AI inference.

Responsibilities

• Bring up and optimize cutting‑edge foundation models (e.g., DeepSeek, Llama, Qwen, and others) on the SambaNova platform through the SambaNova software stack.
• Profile and enhance model performance across compiler, runtime, and hardware layers to achieve SOTA throughput and latency.
• Collaborate with machine learning, compiler, runtime, and hardware teams to deliver co‑designed, high‑performance AI applications.
• Integrate the latest advances in model architecture, quantization, scheduling, and memory optimization from both academia and industry.
• Develop robust, scalable, and efficient end‑to‑end inference solutions aligned with customer needs.
• Identify performance bottlenecks and propose dataflow or scheduling optimizations for both single‑node and distributed systems.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field (e.g., applied mathematics, physics, or statistics).
• 3+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Deep learning model development and performance optimization
• Compiler, runtime, or kernel‑level optimization
• Software–hardware co‑design or systems performance tuning
• Proficiency in Python or C++, with strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and numerical computing.
• Experience with at least one major ML framework — PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and optimize performance in real‑world ML pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with LLM or multimodal model training and inference.
• Background in large‑scale distributed training, continuous batching, and high‑throughput inference systems.
• Familiarity with quantization, graph optimization, kernel fusion, and model partitioning.
• Experience with frameworks such as DeepSpeed, Megatron, vLLM, or TensorRT.
• Strong GPU programming skills (CUDA, Triton, or OpenCL); experience with cuDNN, cuBLAS, or similar libraries is a plus.
• Knowledge of memory hierarchy optimization, caching, and scheduling for large‑scale model execution.
• Publication record or open‑source contributions in ML systems or performance optimization is a plus.

EEO Policy

SambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Benefits Summary For US‑Based, Full‑Time Employment Positions

SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well‑being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.