Principal AI + High Performance Computing Architect

Organisation/Company IMEC Research Field Engineering » Computer engineering Engineering » Other Computer science » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Other Positions Country Belgium Application Deadline 31 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description Architect next generation supercomputers for hybrid HPC + AI applications. What you will do You will architect software-hardware codesign innovations for next-gen artificial intelligence high performance computing systems. The Compute System Architecture Unit (CSA) at imec is researching next-generation large-scale heterogeneous computer architectures. The team is responsible for workload characterization, runtime management, performance modeling, architecture simulation and prototyping for future compute systems and their applications, to reach multiple orders of magnitude better performance, energy-efficiency, and total-cost-of-ownership. We are looking for a Principal AI + High Performance Computing Architect to technically drive innovation across layers of the computing stack, from application to semiconductor technology innovation and everything in between. You work closely with experts from different fields to identify codesign solutions and to build the infrastructure required to evaluate them. As an architect, you will drive system modeling, performance analysis, projections, and strategic innovations against critical product life cycle milestones and program deliverables. This position plays a key role in our mission to shape the future of supercomputer architecture. You will: Research various solutions to enable the next large-scale-high-performance computing clusters. The role spans over various layers from workload characterization, resource management, system architecture, and microarchitecture. Develop software/hardware performance models at various levels of detail to identify bottlenecks and propose new solutions that alleviate the bottlenecks. Work with multiple teams to capture the relevant characteristics of the use of AI in HPC applications, and to explore the design space for higher accuracy and higher performance of future HPC applications. Collaborate across the company to guide the direction of HPC HW/SW codesign based on the top HW issues and SW performance limiters generated from the models and characteristics. Define and scope system and SoC requirements for future architectures. Model features and configurations that improve performance, power, total cost of ownership and emissions. Master’s or PhD degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or relevant STEM degree, with around 10y of experience. Experience with performance analysis, performance modeling and optimizing HPC applications, such as molecular dynamics or computational fluid dynamics. Experience with AI inside HPC applications is considered a plus. Experience with performance analysis and performance modeling for distributed AI applications, such as LLM training. Experience in modeling of large-scale systems and their components, such as GPUs. Good understanding of scale out accelerated system architectures, from their distributed programming models, network topologies, runtime resource management, to their microarchitecture. Strong programming ability in C++ and python. CUDA knowledge is considered a plus. Your communication and interpersonal skills enable you to work in a dynamic, distributed team. You actively share experiences and knowledge with colleagues. A history of mentoring more junior engineers and interns is a huge plus. We are looking for your excellent communication skills in English, as you will work in a multicultural team and closely with our partners. Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent Additional Information 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr