Systems Software Engineer

quadric; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Quadric in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to own foundational software layers for our GPNPU. You will work on the instruction-set simulator, loader/assembler, and remote debugger, and craft clean C++ host APIs to bridge SDKs with hardware.

We value deep domain expertise in simulators and toolchains, modern C++ programming, and memory-management discipline. Expect high-impact work shaping next-gen edge compute with collaboration across hardware and software teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years building systems software including simulators, toolchains, debuggers, drivers, or high-performance C++ libraries.
• Strong command of modern C++ (C++17/20) and systems programming concepts.
• Experience with memory management, RAII, and efficient resource ownership.
• Ability to design clean abstraction layers and scalable code.
• Proven ability to work at the hardware-software boundary on new processor architectures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize the Instruction Set Simulator used for architecture validation and software development.
• Drive the design of the Loader/Assembler and ensure ELF-based code loading.
• Develop and refine the Remote Debugger backends for deep, low-level visibility.
• Design, maintain, and document C++ Host APIs and core device interfaces.

Skills

Systems software

Modern C++

RAII

Memory management

Abstraction layers

Hardware-software boundary

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE or related field

Tools

Gem5

QEMU

ELF

Loader/Assembler

Job description

Quadric is redefining edge AI with the industry's first General Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU), enabling developers to run both neural network inference and conventional C++ code on a single programmable architecture. Our technology powers intelligent edge devices across automotive, industrial, robotics, and embedded systems.

Founded in 2016 and based in downtown Burlingame, California, Quadric is building the world's first supercomputer designed for the real-time needs of edge devices. Quadric aims to empower developers in every industry with superpowers to create tomorrow's technology, today. The company was co-founded by technologists from MIT and Carnegie Mellon, who were previously the technical co-founders of the Bitcoin computing company 21.

The Opportunity

Quadric has created an innovative General-Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU) architecture. As a member of our Systems Team, you will be responsible for the foundational software layers—drivers, debuggers, assemblers, and simulators that bridge our high-level SDK with custom hardware.

This is a high-impact role for an engineer with deep domain expertise who wants to build something monumental alongside a great team. You will own critical components of our low-level stack and collaborate closely with both hardware and software engineers to ensure our GPNPU remains a seamless, ultra-high-performance target for developers.

What You'll Do

Foundational Toolchain & Simulator Development

• Instruction Set Simulator: Maintain and optimize our simulator used for architecture validation and software development. Because simulator development happens ahead of physical silicon, you will directly influence hardware and software co-design decisions.
• Loader & Assembler: Drive the design of our low-level toolchain, ensuring efficient translation, binary execution (e.g., ELF formats), and loading of code.

Hardware Abstraction & Debugger Infrastructure

• Remote Debugger: Develop, enhance, and refine debugging tools and backends that provide deep, low-level visibility into core GPNPU execution.
• C++ Host & Core Device APIs: Design, maintain, and document clean, well-defined abstraction layers and public C++ APIs that allow users and SDKs to interact with our hardware with minimal friction.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 6–12 months, you'll:

• Independently own and expand one or more key components of the systems stack (Simulator, Loader/Assembler, Debugger, or C++ Host APIs).
• Influence next-generation GPNPU hardware and software specifications by identifying execution trade-offs within the Instruction Set Simulator.
• Deliver production-ready, low-latency API abstractions and debugging utilities trusted by internal SDK developers and external customers.

What We're Looking For

Required

• 5 years+ experience in building systems software: simulators, toolchains, debuggers, drivers, or performance critical C++ libraries
• Deep comfort with modern C++ (C++17/20) and systems-level programming paradigms.
• Advanced understanding of RAII, manual memory management, object lifetimes, ownership models, and memory access optimization.
• Ability to identify, design, and maintain clean abstraction layers that result in readable, maintainable, and scalable code.
• A proactive, adaptable attitude toward tackling the unique challenges of a brand-new processor architecture.
• Boundary Experience: Demonstrated track record tackling complexity at the boundary of hardware and software across one or more of the following:
• Architectural Simulation: Building/extending cycle-accurate or functional simulators (e.g., Gem5, QEMU, or proprietary tools).
• Debugger Backends: Working on the "guts" of debuggers (breakpoints, memory inspection, GDB stubs/remote protocols).
• Developer APIs: Shipping C++ SDKs/libraries that balance "zero-cost" abstractions with intuitive UIs.
• Low-Level Toolchains: Writing or maintaining assemblers, linkers, or loaders with deep knowledge of binary formats (ELF) and memory layouts.
• Bare-Metal Constraints: Writing performance-critical code where every byte and cycle counts (drivers, embedded firmware).

Preferred

• Low-Level Hardware Concepts: Understanding of CPU/NPU pipelines, registers, caches, and silicon-level constraints.
• GPU & Acceleration Programming: Experience with CUDA, OpenCL, or Vulkan, alongside SIMD/SIMT architectures and host-to-device memory transfers.
• Tooling & Driver Infrastructure: Experience with Linux driver development and CMake project configuration best practices.
• Rust & Concurrency: Familiarity with Rust in systems safety, as well as reasoning through multi-threaded logic and complex synchronization issues.
• Functional Concepts: Knowledge of integrating functional programming concepts effectively in non-garbage-collected environments.

What We Offer

The base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $220,000. This range reflects the full span of levels and geographies at which Quadric hires for this role. The actual base salary offered will depend on a number of factors, including the specific level of the role, years and depth of relevant experience, technical skills and competencies, the criticality of the role to the business, internal equity, and work location. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for equity and a discretionary annual performance bonus as applicable to the role and level.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits to support your needs. The benefits below reflect our US-based offerings; for roles in other locations, benefits vary and are shared during the hiring process. These include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance from day one - Premiums covered at 99% for Employees
• Company-paid life Insurance
• Voluntary supplemental life insurance
• STD + LTD insurance
• Commuter support including parking or Caltrain reimbursement. Our office is conveniently located within walking distance of the Caltrain station
• FSA + HSA
• Equity with the business
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible PTO
• Winter holiday shutdown
• Catered lunch each day in our office
• Downtown Burlingame office location, close to shops, cafes, and local amenities
• Collaborative, low-ego culture with significant ownership and impact
• A work culture focused on innovative disruption

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not perfectly match every qualification. We value potential, curiosity, and a willingness to learn just as much as direct experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Quadric is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

E-Verify and Right to Work Notices

Quadric participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility for U.S.-based roles. As part of this process, applicants may review the following notices, which explain your rights and our participation in E-Verify. These notices are provided in English and Spanish.

• E-Verify Participation Notice (English | Spanish)
• Right to Work Notice (English | Spanish)

No action is required from candidates during the application process. These notices are provided for informational purposes only.

Privacy

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