Machine Learning Performance Engineer

AI Systems is a department in the AI & Algorithms expertise center that develops advanced AI compute solutions involving AI models, algorithms, implementations, sensors and hardware for small scale edge up to large scale distributed and hybrid hardware architectures.

Within the AI Systems department, the AI Models group focuses on algorithmic and application research in the domain of AI and scientific simulations to drive SW-HW-Technology co-optimization and develop novel ML/Hybrid-AI methods for semiconductor processing and health applications. This position is within AI Models group based in Leuven, Belgium.

We are strengthening our AI Models group to build expertise in performance evaluation of Machine Learning workloads and algorithmic optimization techniques. The candidate will work on building a framework to represent distributed AI/ML workloads in a flexible way to decode their execution on different device and network models enabling design of high performant future exascale systems.

What you will do

• AI/ML workload representation towards performance evaluation of exascale systems.
• Analysing AI models/workloads to create mini-apps and benchmarks for performance.
• Studying performance optimization of deep learning workloads for exascale systems.
• Exploring emerging AI/ML algorithms for custom architectures to enable SW-HW codesign.
• Staying up-to-date with the latest AI/ML literature to implement state-of-the-art algorithms.

During the first few years of your time with AI Models, you will have the opportunity to be an integral part of our ongoing EuroHPC DARE project that aims to drive Europe’s independence in high-performance computing and AI.

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.

Who you are

• You have a PhD, preferable in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent.
• Strong background with parallel programming and proven ability of CUDA and Python programming.
• You have experience with modern Deep Learning frameworks (PyTorch, Tensorflow, Jax).
• Experience with distributed training frameworks (e.g., Ray, Dask, PyTorch Lightning).
• Strong background in algorithmic optimization techniques like quantization, pruning, and distributed training methodologies.
• Experience in software performance analysis and optimization.
• Prior experience with optimizing AI for AI Compute Architectures is a plus.
• Understanding of performance analysis tools, and hardware optimization techniques.
• You are a team player and have strong communication skills.
• Your English is fluent, both speaking and writing.

*IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.*

Job details

Title: Machine Learning Performance Engineer

Employer: imec

Location: Kapeldreef 75 Leuven, Belgium

Published: 2025-08-13

Application deadline: Unspecified

Job type: Engineer

Field: Machine Learning, Programming Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Parallel Computing, Computational Mathematics, and 3 more: Distributed Computing, Algorithms, Computer Architecture