At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with AI researchers to optimise software performance and develop predictive models.
- Company: Join a non-profit focused on responsible AI development and collaborative engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, professional development, and networking opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a vibrant office near Cambridge station.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while working in a vibrant, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in computer science or related field; experience in performance modelling and optimisation.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Description
Common AI CIC is a non-profit membership organisation, founded on a belief in collaborative engineering for the safe and responsible development of foundational AI technologies.
A place where AI startups, enterprises large and small, public sector bodies and academia can share resources and knowledge, to codevelop and grow businesses, fast.
We are seeking a Performance Engineer to join our rapidly growing team.
In this role, you will work with AI researchers and software engineers to build up a detailed understanding of how their applications are performing.
You will instrument and collect granular metrics from inference and training jobs and use that information to develop sophisticated mathematical models that predict how software optimisations and architectural or hardware changes will impact system performance.
Your work will directly influence both our in-house and member’s hardware purchasing decisions and architectural optimisations, ensuring teams can run AI workloads efficiently and cost-effectively.
Requirements
This role requires a degree in computer science, mathematics or an adjacent field. You should also be able to demonstrate:
- Experience building insightful mathematical models and performance calculators (Excel/Google Sheets or Python modeling experience) to forecast system behavior.
- Optimisation of code running on GPUs and/or other accelerators (e. g. CUDA).
- Solid understanding of computer architecture fundamentals and how LLMs and Deep Learning models execute on that hardware (inference vs. training, matrix multiplication, KV-caching, etc.).
- Proficiency with profiling tools (NVIDIA Nsight, Py Torch Profiler) and monitoring stacks (Prometheus, Grafana).
- Capability to work in
Python for data analysis (Pandas, Num Py) and scripting.
The following are also highly valued
- Post-graduate degrees and research experience in relevant fields (please list your publications).
- Deep understanding of inference serving frameworks (e. g. v LLM).
- Background in statistical analysis.
- Contributions to open source and/or research projects.
Benefits
- A collaborative and supportive work environment
- The opportunity to have a high impact in a growing organisation
- Competitive salary package and pension
- Professional development opportunities
- Networking opportunities with influential people from across the tech sector and academia
- A vibrant office environment located a few minutes’ walk away from Cambridge train station
Performance Engineer in Cambridge employer: Commonai
CommonAI CIC is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, perfect for those passionate about AI technology. Located just minutes from Cambridge train station, employees benefit from a vibrant office atmosphere, competitive salary packages, and ample professional development opportunities, all while making a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of AI. Join us to connect with influential figures across the tech sector and academia, and grow your career in a meaningful way.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Performance Engineer in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Commonai or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Commonai.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Commonai.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Commonai that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Performance Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Commonai.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Commonai and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Commonai
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Commonai uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
