Principal Performance Architect

What you will do

You will architect software-hardware codesign innovations for next-gen artificial intelligence high-performance computing systems.  

The Compute System Architecture Unit (CSA) at imec is researching next-generation large-scale heterogeneous computer architectures. The team is responsible for workload characterization, runtime management innovations, performance modeling, architecture simulation and prototyping for future applications and the future systems to execute them, to reach multiple orders of magnitude better performance, energy-efficiency, and total-cost-of-ownership.   

We are looking for a Principal AI Performance Architect to technically drive innovation across layers of the computing stack, from application to semiconductor technology innovation and everything in between. You work closely with experts from different fields to identify codesign solutions and to build the infrastructure required to evaluate them. As an architect, you will drive system modeling, performance analysis, projections, and strategic innovations against critical product life cycle milestones and program deliverables. This position plays a key role in our mission to shape the future of supercomputer architecture.  

You will:  

• Research various solutions to enable the next large-scale-high-performance computing clusters. The role spans over various layers from workload characterization, resource management, system architecture, and microarchitecture.  
• Develop software/hardware performance models at various levels of detail to identify performance bottlenecks and propose new solution alleviating the bottlenecks.  
• Work with multiple teams to capture the relevant characteristics of the use of AI in HPC applications, and to explore the design space for higher accuracy and higher performance of future HPC applications.  
• Collaborate across the company to guide the direction of HPC HW/SW codesign based on the top HW issues and SW performance limiters generated from the models and characteristics.  
• Define and scope system and SoC requirements for future architectures.  
• Model features and configurations that improve performance, power, total cost of ownership and emissions. 

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• Master’s or PhD degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or relevant STEM degree, with at least around 8 years of experience.  
• Experience with performance analysis, engineering, and optimization of HPC applications, such as molecular dynamics and computational fluid dynamics,  
• Experience in AI for HPC is a plus.  
• Experience with distributed AI/ML applications, such as LLM training and inference.  
• Experience in system performance modeling ranging from a single device (e.g. a GPU) to a machine scale (e.g. a cluster). 
• Good understanding of GPU (preferably XPU) system architectures, distributed programming models, runtime resource management, and microarchitecture.  
• Strong programming ability in C++ and Python. CUDA knowledge is considered a plus.  
• Your communication and interpersonal skills enable you to work in a dynamic, distributed team. You actively share experiences and knowledge with colleagues. A history of mentoring more junior engineers and interns is a huge plus.  
• We are looking for your excellent communication skills in English, as you will work in a multicultural team and together with our partners.