Principal Compiler Software Engineer

Rocket Software; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Principal Software Engineer with expertise in compiler development. The role involves designing and maintaining compiler components, optimizing code generation, and collaborating with teams to enhance software functionality. Ideal candidates should have a strong foundation in system-level languages and a commitment to high-performance compiler infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in compiler development or transpiler design.
• Strong knowledge of internal compiler structures and code generation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain compiler components.
• Analyze and extend complex transpilers for legacy languages.

Skills

Compiler Development

Code Optimization

Graph Algorithms

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Master’s in Computer Science

Tools

C/C++

Rust

OCaml

TypeScript

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

Job Description Summary:

The Principal Software Engineer sets the direction for the design and implementation of software features/functionality/enhancements, correction of defects, and/or the creation of new products. Develops software tools including operating systems, compilers, routers, networks, utilities, databases, and Internet-related tools. Determines software’s compatibility with hardware and/or influences software's design in relation to hardware.

Job Overview:

Experienced Compiler Engineer with a solid foundation in compiler construction, internal compiler languages, and low-level programming. The ideal candidate will have a blend of industry and academic experience, a deep understanding of system-level languages, and demonstrate a strong commitment to building and maintaining robust, high-performance compiler infrastructure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain compiler components and internal compiler representations.
• Analyze and extend complex transpilers that convert legacy languages to modern languages (e.g., TypeScript, Java).
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to ensure accurate translation of legacy functionality.
• Optimize code generation and translation with awareness of hardware-software integration.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and proactively improve compiler performance and correctness.
• Analyze complex code paths, fix compiler crashes, and optimize slow compilation or generated code.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience in compiler development or transpiler design.
• Strong knowledge of internal compiler structures, language parsing, and code generation.
• Strong grasp of graph algorithms, tree traversals, and other compiler-relevant patterns.
• Able to implement performant algorithms for static analysis, type inference, and code optimization.
• Proficiency in at least one low-level language (e.g., assembly).
• Ability to understand and work with legacy enterprise languages.
• Strong coding skills with a focus on clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
• Effective communicator and team collaborator.
• Understanding of how high-level code maps to low-level instructions and performance tuning at that level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science with a focus on compilers or programming languages in C/C++, Rust, or other system-level languages.
• Experience with OCaml, TypeScript, or other statically typed languages with type inference.
• Understanding of legacy enterprise languages (COBOL, Fortran, etc.) is valuable in transpiler or modernization work.
• Contributions to compiler-related academic research or open-source projects.
• Understanding of modern software architecture and system-level programming.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, IS, or related technical discipline
• Advanced degree, such as Master’s in Computer Science, preferred

Travel Requirements:

Job Family Group: Engineering

Job Family: Software & Quality Assurance Engineering

Job Profile Name: Principal Software Engineer

Employee Type: Individual Contributor

Job Level: P5 (Expert)

Position Reports to: Manager, Software Engineering

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Rocket Software Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Rocket Software Inc. is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rocket is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please call: 781-577-4321 or send an email to [e-mail]. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!