Why Join Us
Join a team shaping the future of AI on Intel platforms. You will work on cutting-edge technologies that accelerate Large Language Models, Generative AI, and other advanced AI workloads on next-generation Intel GPUs. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with experts across hardware architecture, compilers, runtime systems, and AI frameworks while developing skills that span the full AI software stack. Your work will have direct impact on delivering industry-leading AI performance and enabling the next generation of AI applications.
Intel is seeking a Senior AI Systems Software Engineer to drive optimization strategy and technical leadership across the AI software stack. In this role, you will lead the development of high-performance software solutions that accelerate AI inference workloads, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI, and emerging machine learning applications on Intel GPU platforms.
You will work across software, compilers, runtimes, frameworks, and hardware architecture teams to deliver breakthrough AI performance and influence future product direction.
What You’ll Do
Key responsibilities will include but not limited to:
- Lead optimization initiatives for AI inference workloads on Intel GPUs.
- Define and drive performance optimization strategies across compilers, runtimes, and GPU kernels.
- Architect software solutions that improve scalability, efficiency, and performance.
- Profile, benchmark, and analyze complex AI workloads to identify system bottlenecks.
- Influence hardware and software co-design decisions through performance characterization and workload analysis.
- Drive cross-functional technical initiatives spanning architecture, compiler, framework, and runtime teams.
- Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across projects.
- Evaluate emerging AI technologies and identify future optimization opportunities.
Behavioral traits that we are looking for:
- Demonstrates exceptional technical judgment and the ability to solve complex, high-impact challenges.
- Thinks strategically across the software and hardware stack, identifying opportunities to improve performance, scalability, and efficiency.
- Leads through influence, building alignment and driving outcomes across cross-functional organizations.
- Communicates effectively with both technical and business audiences, translating complex concepts into actionable insights.
- Operates with a strong sense of ownership and accountability, driving initiatives from strategy through execution.
- Uses data, experimentation, and measurable results to inform decisions and guide technical direction.
- Develops and elevates talent through mentorship, collaboration, and technical leadership.
- Brings an innovation mindset and a passion for advancing the future of AI computing.
Intel invests in our people and offers a complete and competitive package of benefits employees and their families through every stage of life.
- See Intel Benefits for more details.
You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.
Note:
For information on Intel’s immigration sponsorship guidelines, please see
Intel U.S. Immigration Sponsorship Information
Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years or experience. Or a Master's degree in the same field with 3+ years of experience or a PhD in the same filed with 1+ years of experience.
Your experience described above must be in the following:
- Experience in software development, AI systems, or performance engineering.
- C++ software development and debugging
- Experience with performance analysis, profiling, and optimization of compute-intensive applications.
- Experience with modern neural network architectures and their execution on hardware accelerators.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
- GPU architectures, AI accelerators, or parallel computing systems.
- Experience optimizing end-to-end AI inference workloads in production environments.
- Familiarity with AI inference frameworks such as llama.cpp, vLLM, OpenVINO, PyTorch, TensorRT, ONNX Runtime, or similar technologies.
- Experience with graph compilation and optimization technologies such as MLIR, LLVM, TVM, XLA, or related compiler frameworks.
- Experience with GPU programming models such as Vulkan Compute, OpenCL, SYCL, CUDA, HIP or equivalent technologies.
- Knowledge of neural network optimization techniques, quantization, kernel fusion, memory optimization, and performance tradeoffs.
- Experience across multiple layers of the AI software stack, including:
- AI inference runtimes and serving frameworks
- Graph compilers and optimization frameworks
- GPU kernels and performance-critical compute code
- Experience contributing to open-source software projects is a plus.
Why Join Intel
You'll help shape the future of AI computing by solving some of the industry's most challenging performance problems. Working alongside leading experts in AI, GPU architecture, compilers, and systems software, you'll have the opportunity to influence next-generation technologies that power AI at scale.
Job Type:Experienced HireShift:Shift 1 (United States of America)Primary Location: US, California, FolsomAdditional Locations:US, California, Santa Clara, US, Oregon, HillsboroPosting Statement:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.Position of TrustN/ABenefits
We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.
Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $149,750.00-275,580.00 USD
The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Work Model for this Role
This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.*
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years of experience
- Master's degree in a related technical field with 3+ years of experience, or PhD with 1+ years of experience
- Experience in software development, AI systems, or performance engineering
- C++ software development and debugging experience
- Experience with performance analysis, profiling, and optimization of compute-intensive applications
- Experience with modern neural network architectures and execution on hardware accelerators
- Experience with GPU architectures, AI accelerators, or parallel computing systems
- Experience optimizing end-to-end AI inference workloads in production environments
- Familiarity with AI inference frameworks such as llama.cpp, vLLM, OpenVINO, PyTorch, TensorRT, or ONNX Runtime
- Experience with graph compilation and optimization technologies such as MLIR, LLVM, TVM, or XLA
- Experience with GPU programming models such as Vulkan Compute, OpenCL, SYCL, CUDA, or HIP
- Knowledge of neural network optimization, quantization, kernel fusion, memory optimization, and performance tradeoffs
- Experience across AI inference runtimes, serving frameworks, graph compilers, optimization frameworks, and GPU kernels
- Experience contributing to open-source software projects
Intel Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Intel and has not been reviewed or approved by Intel.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Sabbaticals and paid time off are highlighted as signature elements, with an established program offering four weeks after four years or eight weeks after seven years. This distinctive time off is positioned as a meaningful part of the overall package.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid bonding leave of 12 weeks and a New Parent Reintegration program, plus fertility benefits around $40,000 and up to $15,000 adoption reimbursement with no lifetime cap, are clearly stated. These programs are presented as standout components alongside broader family support resources.
-
Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options with 2026 updates, a shift to Spring Health for EAP, and in‑network virtual medical visits covered at 100% beginning in 2026 indicate a comprehensive offering. These features signal an emphasis on robust medical access and mental health support.
Intel Insights
What We Do
Our mission is to shape the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world, that’s the power of Intel Inside. With more ingenuity and creativity inside, our work is at the heart of countless innovations. From major breakthroughs to things that make everyday life better— they’re all powered by Intel technology. With a career at Intel, you can help make the future more wonderful for everyone.
