Software Engineer - Host and Network IO

Engg; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerebras Systems is seeking a software developer for the Host and Network IO Team. You will implement the IO path between a distributed set of server nodes and Cerebras' proprietary ROCE stack, collaborating with AI teams and FPGA/ASIC groups to optimize bandwidth and latency.

You should have strong socket programming skills and RDMA Verbs experience to reduce CPU usage and improve AI performance. This role blends software, hardware, and network work at a fast-moving AI hardware company.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in CS or EE plus 1 year industry experience, or 3+ years industry experience.
• Experience in large software environments.
• Embedded systems, HW/SW co-design, and some driver development.
• Familiarity with TCP, RoCE, and network debugging tools.
• Willingness to learn Arista/Juniper network environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop x86 & ARM software to expose next-generation hardware IO capabilities for AI/HPC application teams
• Govern a generic IO API with multiple internal users.
• Develop control and configuration subsystems directly interacting with Cerebras hardware
• Drive network performance debug of large AI clusters
• Gather and analyze network statistics and packet traces to root cause and alleviate bottlenecks and sub-optimalities.
• Develop tools/telemetry for increasing visibility into the network and IO datapath.
• Optimize cpu/mem utilization leveraging kernel bypass and zero-copy techniques
• Integrate leading edge networking technologies and protocols
• Lead cross-functional technical projects spanning multiple teams and integrating diverse software and hardware components to deliver an improved network IO solution.
• Foster clear and effective communication across teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Large software environments

Embedded systems

HW/SW co-design

Driver development

TCP/RoCE networks

Education

Advanced degree in CS or EE

Tools

Wireshark

Job description

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services. This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation. Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership https://openai.com/index/cerebras-partnership/ with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Host and Network IO Team develops the full IO path implementation between a distributed system of server nodes, through the cluster, down to the custom RoCE network stack implemented in Cerebras' system, and over the proprietary IOs onto the WSE. As a software developer on the team, you will interface between AI application-level IO teams, cluster architecture teams, and FPGA/ASIC teams to develop solutions that optimize bandwidth and latency while minimizing congestion, pauses, pause spreading, unfairness, etc. Strong skills in socket programming will enable you to deploy robust management operations, while deftness in RDMA Verbs will enable you to optimize CPU resources and shape network traffic to deliver real world impact on AI performance metrics, as well as developing tools for gaining insight and visibility into network behavior. Meticulous analysis and rigour are key tenants of this role, harnessing that together with a deeply-understood mental model of the server, NIC, protocol, switch, and custom hardware behavior will enable you to lead network debug, optimize traffic patterns, and prescribe architectural changes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop x86 & ARM software to expose next-generation hardware IO capabilities for AI/HPC application teams
• Govern a generic IO API with multiple internal users.
• Develop control and configuration subsystems directly interacting with Cerebras hardware
• Drive network performance debug of large AI clusters
• Gather and analyze network statistics and packet traces to root cause and alleviate bottlenecks and sub-optimalities.
• Develop tools/telemetry for increasing visibility into the network and IO datapath.
• Optimize cpu/mem utilization leveraging kernel bypass and zero-copy techniques
• Integrate leading edge networking technologies and protocols
• Lead cross-functional technical projects spanning multiple teams and integrating diverse software and hardware components to deliver an improved network IO solution.
• Foster clear and effective communication across teams and stakeholders.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's/PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering + 1 year industry experience, OR 3+ years industry experience.
• Experience in large software environments.
• Embedded systems, HW/SW co-design, and some driver development.
• Network protocol familiarity (TCP, RoCE) and network debug tools such as Wireshark, or willingness to learn
• Some network switch environment familiarity or willingness to learn (Arista, Juniper, etc.).
• Detail-oriented but keen to learn the bigger picture and step out of comfort zone to embrace the unknown.

Why Join Cerebras

People who are serious about software make their own hardware.

1. Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
2. Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
3. Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
4. Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
5. Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.

Find out more about what it's like to work at Cerebras here https://www.cerebras.ai/join-us!

Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.