RISC-V Performance Modelling Engineer (Multiple Positions)

What you will do

The Compute System Architecture (CSA) unit at imec desires to build RISC-V based zetta-scale AI/HPC hardware and software solutions co-designed. We are backed by a broad in-house R&D expertise, creating a new AI computing paradigm that will move the industry forward for many years to come. Designed in tune with advanced silicon geometry, novel communication technology, our architecture provides high-performance AI computing solutions in reliability, security, and power consumption at scale. We analyze emerging usage models, build hardware and software prototypes for data-driven computing hardware capable of zetta-scale performance.

We are looking for hardware architecture modelling and simulation engineer to be part of our infrastructure modelling team, to help path find for next generation AI/HPC architectures under a technology, architecture, application co-design regime. Your role in the team spans a combination of the following responsibilities:

1. Capturing specifications and development of hardware component models (in C++/or at an equivalent level) including establishing sufficient model maturity / correctness.
2. Working with other component/system/workload modelling colleagues in integrating components and designing appropriate simulation methodology/experiment/analysis tools to enable efficient pathfinding.
3. Optimization and maintenance of the simulation infrastructure.

You are motivated by an experience within an industrial research startup unit with fast growth and high visibility, having access to top notch silicon technology (beyond 7nm), and to learn and contribute while working with a team of technical experts from multiple domains interested in true HW-SW co-design, all in a very competitive international environment. 

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. Candidates with current working rights in the UK are also welcome to work from our imec office in Cambridge, UK, and candidates with working rights in the US can work remotely from any location within the US. 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 Doctoral degree in Computer Science or Electrical/Computer Engineering
• Strong background in modern C++ along with other relevant programming skills (e.g., python, scripting) working in a Linux/Unix environment.  
• Experience with high-performance parallel programming / MPI / OpenMP / is a plus
• Strong debugging and analytical skills to debug modelling / performance issues
• Experience with hardware modelling — either at a Register-Transfer Level (RTL) or a high-level such as SystemC / Gem5 / Sniper / SST / Other 
• Experience with hardware/SoC verification a plus
• Good understanding of computer architecture fundamentals, e.g., CPU microarchitecture, multi-core systems, cache / memory hierarchy
• Familiar with and experience following CI/CD practices with tools such as Jira, Git
• Strong communication skills in English, allowing you to perform well in a multicultural team and in close collaboration with our partners.
• Ability to quickly embrace new technological paradigms.
• Pragmatic and concise in your approach, you enjoy working with a focus on (collaborative) problem solving.