Principal Software Engineer - SDK & Lowering Stack

About the role

The role of Principal Software Engineer - SDK & Lowering Stack at d-Matrix involves helping to architect and develop the kernel authoring SDK that targets our novel Corsair dataflow architecture. You will champion software engineering best practices across the team, build intuitive APIs, lead development tools, and mentor junior engineers. You will also take ownership of delivering solutions, interact with stakeholders, and manage the entire software development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Help architect and develop the kernel authoring SDK that targets our novel Corsair dataflow architecture.
• Champion software engineering best practices across the team by establishing robust CI/CD pipelines, driving automated testing, and enforcing rigorous code review processes.
• Create intuitive, domain-specific APIs, determining the optimal boundaries for kernel developers and compiler teams.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Leverage systems engineering ability to understand complex interactions between hardware and software components, proposing and implementing solutions integral to the software stack.
• Build and scale software deliverables in a tight development window.

Requirements

• Minimum Experience:
  • MS in Computer Engineering, Math, Physics, or a related degree with 8 years of industry experience.
  • PhD in Computer Engineering, Math, Physics, or a related degree with 4 years of industry experience.
• Proficient in C/C++ and Python development in a Linux environment and using standard development tools.
• Proven track record of driving software engineering best practices, including CI/CD integration, continuous testing, and leading comprehensive code reviews.
• Deep grasp of computer architecture, data structures, system software, and machine learning fundamentals.
• Demonstrated experience designing high-quality, scalable APIs and SDKs, with a comprehensive systems engineering mindset to solve end-to-end problems.
• Self-motivated team player with a profound sense of ownership and leadership.

Preferred Experience

• Proven experience writing and optimizing high-performance kernels targeting GPUs, TPUs, or custom ML accelerators.
• Background working in High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments, managing large-scale distributed workloads and resource optimization.
• Experience developing ML compilers and working with intermediate representations or algorithms (e.g., MLIR, LLVM, TVM, Glow, etc.).
• Familiarity with leveraging AI-assisted coding tools to accelerate software development and elevate code quality.
• Prior startup, small team, or incubation experience.
• Work experience at a cloud provider or AI compute/subsystem company.

Qualifications

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about tackling challenges and are driven by execution. You should have a strong foundation in computer science, software engineering, and a deep understanding of machine learning and system software. Your ability to work collaboratively and your passion for innovation are essential qualities for this role.

Skills

Strong skills in C/C++, Python, and Linux are required. Proficiency in computer architecture, data structures, and machine learning is also necessary. Additionally, experience with high-performance computing, ML compilers, and AI-assisted coding tools is preferred.

Benefits

At d-Matrix, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. We also provide opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Pay

Salary range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This role is full-time and based in Santa Clara, CA, headquarters, with the possibility of remote work within the US/Canada.