Senior GPU Software Architect

About Huawei Research And Development UK Limited. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and operate in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

Huawei's vision is a fully connected, intelligent world. To achieve this, we work to inspire passion for basic research around the world. Our combined passion drives development across the global innovation value chain. Huawei has the largest Research and Development organization in the world with 96,000+ employees in research centers around the globe. In the UK, we already have design centers in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh and Ipswich.

We are seeking a Principal GPU/NPU Software Architect to play a pivotal role in designing and implementing the core software that enables our revolutionary hardware. This is not a maintenance role; it is a ground-zero opportunity to architect the low-level software stack for a heterogeneous computing platform where the GPU, NPU (Neural Processing Unit) and other modules are designed for deep, synergistic cooperation. Your work will be critical to unlocking the full potential of neural rendering, machine learning and other technologies where traditional rasterization pipelines seamlessly fuse with real-time neural networks to generate imagery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect the Co-Processing Driver Stack: Design and implement the low-level driver, compiler, and runtime for a tightly integrated GPU/NPU architecture.
• Pioneer Neural Rendering Infrastructure: Develop the core driver and API extensions to support emerging neural rendering techniques, such as neural radiance fields (NeRFs), neural texture compression, AI-based denoising, and AI-powered upscaling within the rendering pipeline.
• Drive Hardware-Software Co-Design: Work directly with hardware engineers to influence the design of future GPU/NPU architectures, ensuring the ISA, memory hierarchy, and interconnects are optimized for next-generation graphics and AI workloads.
• Performance Analysis & Optimization: Attain unparalleled performance by deep-diving into the hardware pipeline. Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the interaction between graphics shaders and neural network execution.
• Define the Programming Model: Create and document the programming models, APIs, and developer tools that will allow internal and external graphics engineers to leverage the combined power of the GPU and NPU effectively.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of Huawei Research and Development UK Limited.

Required:

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of proven, deep experience in developing low-level GPU drivers, runtime, or compiler technology for a major mobile GPU architecture.
• Expert-level knowledge of modern graphics APIs (Vulkan, DirectX 12) and their compute shader pipelines.
• Fluency in C/C++ and a strong understanding of computer architecture.
• Must have a proven track record in co-processor design (e.g., GPU/CPU, GPU/DPU) or developing drivers for heterogeneous systems.

Desired:

• Direct experience with NPU/AI accelerator architecture or driver development.
• Hands-on experience implementing or optimizing neural rendering technologies (e.g., NeRF, DLSS/FSR, neural graphics primitives).
• Deep understanding of the ML compiler stack (e.g., MLIR, LLVM).
• Experience with hardware virtualization (SR-IOV) for GPU/NPU resources.

What We Offer:

• 33 days annual leave entitlement per year (including UK public holidays)
• Group Personal Pension
• Life insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Medical expense claim scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Cycle to work scheme
• Company sports club and social events
• Additional time off for learning and development