Principal AI + High Performance Computing 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 + High Performance Computing 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 8y of experience.
• Experience with performance analysis, engineering, and optimization of HPC applications, such as molecular dynamics and computational fluid dynamics, or other applications in the content of AI for science.
• Experience with distributed AI applications, such as LLM training.
• Experience in modeling of large-scale systems and their components, such as GPUs.
• Good understanding of GPU system architecture, 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.
  
  

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.