Lead Compiler Engineer

Reposted 4 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
2 Locations
In-Office
250K-315K Annually
Expert/Leader
Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Semiconductor
We’re building the first programmable light-speed computer.
The Role
Lead development of a compiler toolchain for a custom LLM accelerator: design IR/graph transformations and lowering passes, optimize compute and memory patterns, integrate with PyTorch/JAX/Triton, build test infrastructure, and ensure correctness and performance for hybrid optical-electronic hardware.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Neurophos

The demand for new datacenters and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck isn’t about bigger chips or more of them; it means rethinking the fundamental architecture. The industry's current path isn’t going to meet the need, so we took a different approach.

Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.

We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years.

Join us and shape the future of computing!

Position Overview:

We are seeking a talented ML Compiler Engineer to join our engineering team and lead the development of our compiler. This role focuses on compiler development for our novel LLM accelerator architecture. This is one of several software stacks that seamlessly bridge high-level AI workloads with our custom hybrid optical-electronic compute hardware, enabling customers to realize game-changing performance.

Location: San Mateo, CA or Austin, TX. Full-time onsite position.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design and implement toolchains for our custom LLM accelerator architecture

  • Develop optimization strategies that bridge software algorithms to hardware implementations

  • Design and implement custom compiler components, including IR dialects, graph transformations, and lowering passes

  • Optimize computational graphs and memory access patterns for our hardware architecture

  • Integrate with existing ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX, Triton).

  • Build and maintain test infrastructure to ensure compiler correctness and performance

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field

  • 10+ years of industry experience

  • 5+ years of professional experience in systems programming or compiler development

  • Expert-level proficiency in Python and C

  • Experience with hardware compilers

  • Familiarity with Large Language Model architectures and their computational requirements

  • Hands-on experience with compiler frameworks and code optimization techniques

  • Deep understanding of computer architecture, memory hierarchies, and parallel computing concepts

  • Experience with AI/ML accelerators (GPUs, TPUs, FPGAs) and their programming models

Preferred Skills:

  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field

  • Strong background in graph theory and graph transformations in a compiler or optimization context; MLIR experience is a plus

  • Experience writing programs that parse, analyze, and mutate programs as abstract syntax trees

  • Experience in instrumenting and debugging parallel programs

  • Experience with structured, human-supervised AI/agentic coding workflows

  • Experience with LLM quantization techniques and model optimization

  • Experience with high-performance computing and low-latency system design

  • Familiarity with deep learning frameworks and neural network optimization

Technical Skills

  • Programming Languages: Python and C (essential), Assembly

  • Compiler Frameworks: LLVM, MLIR, GCC, custom backend development

  • Graph Theory: Graph algorithms, graph rewriting systems, DAG optimization

  • AST Processing: Parsing, analysis, and transformation of abstract syntax trees

  • Testing & QA: pytest, GoogleTest, or similar frameworks; static analysis tools

  • CI/CD: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or similar systems

  • LLM Technologies: Transformer architectures, attention mechanisms, quantization techniques

  • Development Tools: CMake, Git, Docker

  • Parallel Tools: Profilers, debuggers, and instrumentation for parallel/concurrent programs

Technical Environment

  • Languages: Python and C (primary), Assembly for low-level optimization

  • Compiler Tools: LLVM, MLIR, GCC, custom compiler backends

  • Testing: Automated test suites, continuous integration pipelines

  • Frameworks: PyTorch/JAX/Triton integration, custom inference engines

  • Focus Areas: Compiler backend development, optimization passes, hardware-software co-design

What We Offer

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on a game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative and brilliant team. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.

Benefits

Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:

  • 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.

  • Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.

  • 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.

  • Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.

  • Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don’t.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 10+ years of industry experience
  • 5+ years of professional experience in systems programming or compiler development
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python
  • Expert-level proficiency in C
  • Hands-on experience with compiler frameworks and code optimization techniques (e.g., LLVM, GCC)
  • Experience with hardware compilers and custom compiler backends
  • Familiarity with Large Language Model architectures and their computational requirements
  • Deep understanding of computer architecture, memory hierarchies, and parallel computing concepts
  • Experience with AI/ML accelerators (GPUs, TPUs, FPGAs) and their programming models
  • Experience integrating compilers with ML frameworks (PyTorch, JAX, Triton)
  • Experience building and maintaining test infrastructure and using testing frameworks (pytest, GoogleTest) and static analysis tools
  • Familiarity with CI/CD and development tools (Git, CMake, Docker, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • Strong background in graph theory and graph transformations in a compiler/optimization context
  • MLIR experience
  • Experience writing programs that parse, analyze, and mutate programs as abstract syntax trees
  • Experience instrumenting and debugging parallel programs
  • Experience with structured, human-supervised AI/agentic coding workflows
  • Experience with LLM quantization techniques and model optimization
  • Experience with high-performance computing and low-latency system design
  • Familiarity with neural network optimization techniques
  • Assembly language experience for low-level optimization

Neurophos Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Neurophos and has not been reviewed or approved by Neurophos.

  • Healthcare Strength Job postings indicate the company covers 100% of base health plan premiums for employees and dependents and contributes to HSAs. Listings also reference dental, vision, and other voluntary coverages.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Unlimited PTO is advertised with an emphasis on delivery rather than accruals. Notes in postings suggest clarifying typical usage and any minimums.
  • Retirement Support A 401(k) with employer matching is listed alongside stock option opportunities. This pairing signals structured retirement support in addition to equity participation.

Neurophos Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Austin, TX
40 Employees
Year Founded: 2020

What We Do

Neurophos is an Austin-based semiconductor company developing high-performance, energy-efficient photonic AI inference chips. Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density for an optical system. As AI adoption accelerates, data centers face significant power and scalability challenges. Traditional solutions are struggling to keep up, leading to rapidly rising energy consumption and costs. We’re solving both problems with an OPU that integrates over one million micron-scale optical processing components on a single chip. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving large-scale AI inference performance. We’ve assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years. Join us and shape the future of optical computing!

Why Work With Us

This is an opportunity to work on a game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI. You’ll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence.

Similar Jobs

Cox Enterprises Logo Cox Enterprises

Search Engine Optimization Specialist

Artificial Intelligence • Automotive • Greentech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity
Remote or Hybrid
United States
50000 Employees
22-33 Hourly

Lansweeper Logo Lansweeper

Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

Cloud • Information Technology • Software
Hybrid
Austin, TX, USA
404 Employees

Optimum Logo Optimum

Product Manager

AdTech • Digital Media • Internet of Things • Marketing Tech • Mobile • Retail • Software
Hybrid
3 Locations
9000 Employees
123K-203K Annually

Optimum Logo Optimum

Site Reliability Engineer

AdTech • Digital Media • Internet of Things • Marketing Tech • Mobile • Retail • Software
Hybrid
2 Locations
9000 Employees
84K-137K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

GC AI Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Legal Tech
San Mateo, California
100 Employees
Idler Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence
San Francisco, California
6 Employees
Bellagent Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Business Intelligence • Generative AI
Chicago, IL
20 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account