Kernel Engineer - New Grad
Sunnyvale, CA • FullTime
Posted 2mo ago
Job Location
Sunnyvale, CA
Tech Stack
Remote Work Policy
On-site
Employment Type
FullTime
Categories
Applied AI Engineer
About the job
As a Kernel Engineer at Cerebras, you will develop high-performance software at the intersection of hardware and software for cutting-edge artificial intelligence and high-performance computing workloads. You will help implement, optimize, and validate machine learning and linear algebra operations for the Cerebras Wafer-Scale Engine, our custom massively parallel processor architecture. Working alongside experienced kernel, compiler, performance, and hardware engineers, you will learn how algorithms are mapped to specialized hardware and contribute to software that maximizes compute utilization and system performance. You will be part of a team responsible for the design, development, performance tuning, and validation of foundational ML and HPC kernels. This is an excellent opportunity for a new graduate who is interested in computer architecture, parallel programming, low-level software, and machine learning systems.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement machine learning and linear algebra kernels for the Cerebras Wafer-Scale Engine.
- Develop and debug high-performance kernel routines using low-level programming techniques and the Cerebras Software Language.
- Apply parallel programming algorithms to map computational workloads efficiently onto the Cerebras architecture.
- Use mathematical analysis, performance data, and profiling tools to evaluate kernel behavior and inform design decisions.
- Identify and investigate correctness, performance, and hardware utilization issues.
- Develop unit tests and system-level validation methodologies to verify kernel library functionality and performance.
- Collaborate with kernel, compiler, performance, and hardware engineers to improve software and system performance.
- Study emerging machine learning workloads and contribute to the evolution of the kernel library.
- Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, and software development processes.
- Build an understanding of the Cerebras architecture, instruction set, memory system, and communication model.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
- Strong programming fundamentals in C++ and familiarity with Python.
- Understanding of foundational computer architecture concepts (processors, memory hierarchies, instruction execution, data movement).
- Knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software development fundamentals.
- Experience debugging software through coursework, internships, research, co-op placements, or technical projects.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Interest in low-level software, parallel computing, performance optimization, or hardware/software co-design.
- Ability to learn unfamiliar systems and collaborate effectively within a technical team.
Benefits
- Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
- Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
- Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
- Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
- Simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.