Principal Software Engineer - Kernels

d-Matrix; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

d-Matrix is seeking a Staff Software Engineer - Kernels to join our team in Santa Clara, California. In this hybrid role, you'll focus on productizing the software stack for our AI compute engine. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience (1 year for PhD holders) in software development, particularly with software kernels for hardware architectures. Proficiency in C/C++ and Python, along with a solid understanding of machine learning fundamentals, is essential. We value self-motivated team players with a strong sense of ownership and leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience or 1+ years with a PhD.
• Strong grasp of data structures and system software.
• Experience with development for embedded SIMD vector processors.
• Experience in implementing ML workloads, GEMMs, and Convolutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software kernels for AI hardware.
• Work with compiler experts to build compiler infrastructure.
• Map computational graphs to architecture.
• Optimize hardware-software co-design aspects.

Skills

C/C++ development

Python development

Computer architecture

Machine learning fundamentals

Linux environments

Education

MS in computer engineering, math, physics, or related

PhD in computer engineering, math, physics, or related

Tools

CUDA

ML frameworks

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Staff Software Engineer - Kernels

Location

Hybrid, working onsite at our Santa Clara, Ca headquarters 3+ days per week.

What You Will Do

The role requires you to be part of the team that helps productize the SW stack for our AI compute engine. As part of the software team, you will be responsible for the development, enhancement, and maintenance of software kernels for next-generation AI hardware. You possess experience building software kernels for HW architectures. You possess a very strong understanding of various hardware architectures and how to map algorithms to the architecture. You understand how to map computational graphs generated by AI frameworks to the underlying architecture. You have had past experience working across all aspects of the full‑stack toolchain and understand the nuances of what it takes to optimize and trade off various aspects of hardware‑software co‑design. You can build and scale software deliverables in a tight development window. You will work with a team of compiler experts to build out the compiler infrastructure, working closely with other software (ML, systems) and hardware (mixed signal, DSP, CPU) experts in the company.

Minimum

• MS in computer engineering, math, physics, or a related degree with 5+ years of industry experience or PhD in computer engineering, math, physics, or a related degree with 1+ years of industry experience.
• Strong grasp of computer architecture, data structures, system software, and machine learning fundamentals.
• Proficient in C/C++ and Python development in Linux environments and using standard development tools.
• Experience implementing algorithms in high-level languages such as C/C++ and Python.
• Experience implementing algorithms for specialized hardware such as FPGAs, DSPs, GPUs, and AI accelerators using libraries such as CUDA, etc.
• Experience in implementing operators commonly used in ML workloads—GEMMs, Convolutions, BLAS, SIMD operators for operations like softmax, layer normalization, pooling, etc.
• Experience with development for embedded SIMD vector processors such as Tensilica.
• Self‑motivated team player with a strong sense of ownership and leadership.

Preferred

• Prior startup, small team, or incubation experience.
• Experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow and/or PyTorch.
• Experience working with ML compilers and algorithms, such as MLIR, LLVM, TVM, Glow, etc.
• Experience with a deep learning framework (such as PyTorch or TensorFlow) and ML models for CV, NLP, or recommendation.
• Work experience at a cloud provider or AI compute/subsystem company.

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

d-Matrix is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and empowered to do their best work. We hire the best talent for our teams, regardless of race, religion, color, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, or veteran status. Our focus is on hiring teammates with humble expertise, kindness, dedication and a willingness to embrace challenges and learn together every day.