Software Engineer Intern - Kernels

Location: Burlingame, California, United States

Department: Software Engineering

Workplace: on_site

Employment Type: temporary

Description

Quadric has created an innovative general purpose neural processing unit (GPNPU) architecture. Quadric's co-optimized software and hardware is targeted to run neural network (NN) inference workloads in a wide variety of edge and endpoint devices, ranging from battery operated smart-sensor systems to high-performance automotive or autonomous vehicle systems. Unlike other NPUs or neural network accelerators in the industry today that can only accelerate a portion of a machine learning graph, the Quadric GPNPU executes both NN graph code and conventional C++ DSP and control code.

The Role
As a Software Engineer Intern - Kernels, you will work closely with our senior AI Kernel Engineers to help enable a variety of AI/LLM models to run efficiently on the Quadric platform. This is a hands-on role where you will dive deep into hardware architecture and optimization techniques. You will gain invaluable experience developing, profiling, and optimizing kernel code, directly contributing to the performance of our AI inference stack.

Note: Our preference is for this internship to be based out of our Burlingame, California office. Candidates should be based in the Bay Area or able to relocate for the internship period and available to work on site.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Implement: Assist in developing AI/LLM kernels and operators on the Quadric platform for efficient inference.
• Analyze & Profile: Help profile kernel performance across compute, data, and parallelism to identify micro-architecture and software bottlenecks.
• Code Optimization: Work alongside senior engineers to optimize C/C++ code to maximize hardware utilization for different workloads.
• Collaborate: Partner across related areas of the AI inference stack to support team priorities and business goals.
• Toolchain Contribution: Contribute to improvements in the Quadric toolchain, compiler, and runtime.

Requirements

Must-Haves:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Solid foundational understanding of computer architecture and hardware-software interaction.
• Demonstrated capability in problem-solving, debugging, and clear technical communication.

Nice-to-Haves (Preferred Qualifications):

• Academic or project experience with model and kernel inference performance profiling.
• Exposure to or experience with compute development frameworks such as CUDA, DSP, NEON, or Triton-lang.
• Familiarity with assembly language.
• Previous internship experience in a hardware-oriented software role or AI/ML optimization.

Benefits

At Quadric, we value Integrity, Humility, and Happiness. What we expect from one another is simple and clear: Initiative, Collaboration, and Completion. We are a collaborative team focused on building something extraordinary in the edge computing space. 

The hourly rate for this temporary internship position is $45.00/hour to $60.00/hour. The actual rate offered will depend on a number of factors, including the specific level of the role, years and depth of relevant experience and education, technical skills and competencies, and work location. 

Quadric interns receive hands-on experience working alongside industry experts in AI and semiconductor technology, with access to mentorship and meaningful project ownership from day one.

Founded in 2016 and based in downtown Burlingame, California, Quadric is building the world’s first supercomputer designed for the real-time needs of edge devices. Quadric aims to empower developers in every industry with superpowers to create tomorrow’s technology, today. The company was co-founded by technologists from MIT and Carnegie Mellon, who were previously the technical co-founders of the Bitcoin computing company 21.

Quadric is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds can do their best work. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not perfectly match every qualification. We value potential, curiosity, and a willingness to learn just as much as direct experience. Skills and growth come in many forms, and we would love to hear your story.

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