At a Glance
- Tasks: Write and optimise performance-critical ML kernels and collaborate with engineers across disciplines.
- Company: Fractile, a pioneering tech company focused on AI inference chip development.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment with 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving.
- Why this job: Join us to shape the future of AI technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Deep embedded software experience and strong performance instincts required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
London or Bristol, 3 days in the office, 2 days WFH. At Fractile, we’re building what we believe will be the world’s fastest AI inference chip from the ground up. We’re balanced across hardware and software engineering, and HW/SW co-design is real here. We move fast, and we help each other move fast. We care about each other, the software we ship, and the people who rely on it.
On the device, close to the metal, we write the runtime software that orchestrates work across the chip and runs performance‑critical ML kernels. This is where performance gets real and the wins compound. Your work directly influences trade‑offs for the silicon, system deployment, and the compiler. You’ll drive the first accelerator compute runs, evaluating performance on silicon, running early benchmarks, and feeding results back into the hardware and software roadmap.
What You’ll Do
- Write and optimise performance‑critical ML kernels in C, with assembly where it matters (RISC‑V and our own ISA).
- Build the low‑level control paths that feed those kernels, including scheduling, synchronisation, and data movement.
- Write targeted validation workloads and microbenchmarks to keep simulation and hardware behaviour aligned and performance measurable.
- Profile, benchmark, and track regressions so performance improvements are real and repeatable.
- Work closely with simulation, hardware, ML, compiler, firmware, and runtime engineers in a tight loop, turning profiling data into architecture feedback and real performance wins.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven deeply embedded software experience.
- Strong performance instincts. You can reason about low‑level architecture, memory behaviour, and where the cycles are spent.
- Excellent C, and a pragmatic approach to building high-quality, maintainable low-level code.
- Comfortable writing and debugging optimised assembly (RISC‑V ideal).
- Collaborative and high‑ownership. You communicate clearly, move fast, and enjoy working through hard problems with others.
- Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Maths, Physics, or related degree and 3+ years of industry experience.
Nice to have
- Experience with GPUs or dedicated ML accelerators.
- Rust and/or Python experience.
- Experience with simulators (functional or performance) and writing validation or benchmarking workloads.
- Familiarity with modern ML inference workloads.
If you want to build the software that turns cutting‑edge hardware capability into real throughput and low latency, come build it with us.
Senior Embedded Performance Engineer employer: Fractile
Fractile is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a fast-growing AI hardware startup in London. With a supportive and ambitious team culture, employees are empowered to take ownership of their work while enjoying ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. The company's commitment to innovation and compliance in a cutting-edge field ensures that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Embedded Performance Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Fractile on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and share your passion for embedded software. This can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your C and assembly skills. Practice coding challenges that focus on performance-critical ML kernels. We want to see how you think and solve problems, so be ready to showcase your skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving low-level control paths or benchmarking, make sure to highlight them in your discussions. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Fractile.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Embedded Performance Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Embedded Performance Engineer role. Highlight your embedded software experience and any performance-critical projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality and passion for the role. Explain why you're excited about building AI inference chips and how your background in C and assembly aligns with our needs. Let us know why you want to join Fractile!
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, whether in a professional or personal capacity, make sure to mention them. We love seeing practical examples of your work, especially those involving low-level control paths or performance benchmarking. It helps us understand your hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our team at Fractile!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fractile
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your embedded software knowledge, especially in C and assembly. Be ready to discuss your experience with performance-critical ML kernels and how you've optimised them in the past. This is your chance to show off your technical chops!
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Fractile values teamwork, so be prepared to talk about how you've worked closely with engineers from different disciplines. Share examples of how you've turned profiling data into actionable feedback and how collaboration has led to real performance wins in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some deep dives into low-level architecture and memory behaviour. Brush up on your understanding of RISC-V and be ready to explain where cycles are spent in your code. Practising coding problems related to scheduling and synchronisation can also give you an edge.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current projects, challenges they face in performance optimisation, or how they envision the future of AI inference chips. This shows you're genuinely interested and engaged!
