Software Engineer, Hardware Enablement
Modular · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $220,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Revolutionize AI infrastructure by rebuilding the software stack.
- Develop and optimize support for new hardware platforms.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external hardware partners.
- Contribute to the next generation AI platform.
- Work with Mojo kernels and compiler technologies.
About the role
About Modular
At Modular, we’re on a mission to revolutionize AI infrastructure by systematically rebuilding the AI software stack from the ground up. Our team, made up of industry leaders and experts, is building cutting-edge, modular infrastructure that simplifies AI development and deployment. By rethinking the complexities of AI systems, we’re empowering everyone to unlock AI’s full potential and tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
If you’re passionate about shaping the future of AI and creating tools that make a real difference in people’s lives, we want you on our team. You can read about our culture and careers to understand how we work and what we value.
About The Role
ML developers today face significant friction in taking trained models into deployment. They work in a highly fragmented space, with incomplete and patchwork solutions that require significant performance tuning and non-generalizable, model-specific enhancements. At Modular, we are building the next generation AI platform that will radically improve the way developers build and deploy AI models.
As part of our mission to build AI's unified compute layer, we are expanding the Modular software stack to a variety of new and exciting hardware platforms.
We are looking for a motivated engineer to join the Hardware Enablement team at Modular. In this role you will work across the Modular software stack — from Mojo kernels and the graph compiler to MAX model serving — to bring up and optimize support for new accelerator platforms. You'll collaborate closely with internal teams and external hardware partners, and you'll develop deep expertise in novel architectures while contributing to our portability story.
Location
We welcome candidates who are based in and have work authorization in the United Kingdom, Norway, or the United States (Eastern Time Zone). To support growth and collaboration, those in earlier career stages work in a hybrid capacity at our Edinburgh, UK or Boston, MA office (minimum 2 days per week on-site). Onboarding for new hires is conducted in-person.
What You Will Do
- Implement and validate support for new hardware architectures across the Modular stack, working under the guidance of senior engineers on the team
- Write and optimize Mojo kernels targeting novel accelerator architectures, with a focus on correctness first and performance iteration
- Contribute to cross-team efforts improving portability infrastructure, tooling, and debugging workflows for new target hardware
- Collaborate with hardware vendor engineers to understand target platforms, build integration tests, and triage platform-specific issues
- Develop working knowledge of new hardware platforms — including ISA documentation, memory hierarchies, and vendor toolchains — and share findings with the team through demos and write-ups
- Participate in company events such as on-sites and hackathons, contributing to a collaborative and open engineering culture
What You Bring To The Table
- 5+ years of experience in high-performance computing, compiler engineering, or related domains in industry or research
- Familiarity with how AI operators are implemented at a low level (e.g., experience writing or modifying GPU kernels, custom operators, or working with frameworks like PyTorch at the C++ layer)
- Proficiency in C++ and experience working in complex, multi-component software systems
- Hands-on experience with at least one heterogeneous programming model (CUDA, SYCL, OpenCL, or similar), either as a user or contributor
- Some exposure to non-GPU accelerator architectures (DSPs, NPUs, or other hardware accelerators) is a strong plus
- Curiosity and willingness to learn new hardware platforms quickly, comfortable reading architecture manuals and vendor documentation
- A collaborative, team-oriented attitude and alignment with our culture
Helpful, But Not Required
- Experience with GPU DSLs/DSELs such as Triton, CUTLASS, or CuTe
- Familiarity with MLIR or LLVM compiler infrastructure
- Experience working directly with hardware vendor teams or on platform bring-up efforts
- Exposure to model serving or inference optimization workflows
What Modular Brings To The Table
Amazing Team. We are a progressive and agile team with some of the industry’s best engineering and product leaders.
World-class Benefits. In order to attract the best, we need to offer the best. Premier insurance plans, up to 5% 401k matching, flexible paid time off, and more are available to you! Please note that specific benefit packages may vary based on your location.
Competitive Compensation. We offer very strong compensation packages, including stock options. We want people to be focused on their best work and believe in tailoring compensation plans to meet the needs of our workforce.
Team Building Events. We organize regular team onsites and local meetups in Los Altos, CA as well as different cities. Traveling 2-4 times a year is expected for all roles.
Working at Modular will enable you to grow quickly as you work alongside incredibly motivated and talented people who have high standards, possess a growth mindset, and a purpose to truly change the world.
Key skills/competency
- High-performance computing
- Compiler engineering
- GPU kernels
- C++
- Heterogeneous programming models
- Hardware accelerators
- AI infrastructure
- Software stack development
- Mojo programming language
- System optimization
Skills & topics
- Software Engineer
- Hardware Enablement
- AI Infrastructure
- High-Performance Computing
- Compiler Engineering
- GPU
- C++
- Mojo
- HPC
- ML
- Machine Learning
- CUDA
- SYCL
- OpenCL
- Accelerator
- Embedded
- Systems Engineering
- Low-level Programming
- Deployment
- Optimization
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience in HPC, compiler engineering, and low-level AI operator implementation, using keywords from the job description like C++, CUDA, and MLIR.
- Showcase your projects: Demonstrate your hands-on experience with heterogeneous programming models and any exposure to non-GPU accelerators through specific examples in your application.
- Address the culture fit: Emphasize your collaborative, team-oriented attitude and your eagerness to learn new hardware platforms, aligning with Modular's innovative and purpose-driven culture.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with complex software systems, compiler infrastructure, and how you approach performance optimization for novel architectures.
- Engage with Modular: Research Modular's mission and values, and be prepared to articulate how your skills and aspirations align with their goal of revolutionizing AI infrastructure.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Software Engineer, Hardware Enablement role at Modular?
- The Software Engineer, Hardware Enablement role at Modular focuses on bringing up and optimizing support for new accelerator hardware platforms across the Modular software stack, from Mojo kernels to model serving. This involves deep collaboration with internal teams and external hardware partners.
- What level of experience is required for the Software Engineer, Hardware Enablement position?
- The role requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in high-performance computing, compiler engineering, or related fields. Familiarity with low-level AI operator implementation and C++ proficiency is also essential.
- Does Modular offer remote work for the Software Engineer, Hardware Enablement role?
- Modular welcomes candidates in the UK, Norway, and the US Eastern Time Zone. While some roles may be hybrid, particularly for earlier career stages in Edinburgh or Boston, onboarding is in-person, and company events require travel.
- What programming languages and technologies are important for this role?
- Proficiency in C++ is a key requirement. Experience with heterogeneous programming models like CUDA, SYCL, or OpenCL is also critical. Familiarity with Mojo kernels and compiler infrastructure like MLIR or LLVM is beneficial.
- What are the opportunities for career growth at Modular?
- Modular emphasizes rapid growth through working alongside highly motivated and talented individuals. The company fosters a growth mindset and a purpose-driven environment, enabling employees to quickly advance their careers.
- What kind of hardware experience is most relevant for this role?
- Experience with GPU kernels and custom operators is highly relevant. Exposure to non-GPU accelerators such as DSPs or NPUs is a strong plus. The role involves quickly learning new hardware platforms and reading architecture manuals.
- How does Modular approach compensation and benefits for its engineers?
- Modular offers competitive compensation packages including stock options. They also provide world-class benefits such as premier insurance plans and 401k matching, aiming to attract and retain top talent.