Simulation Engineer
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At a glance
Job overview
DensityAI is hiring a Simulation Engineer. The Simulation Engineer builds and owns the software simulation stack for DensityAI's AI accelerator, creating functional, ISA, and performance models that enable early software development and design space exploration before silicon exists.
Key focus areas include Design, build, and maintain functional and ISA simulators and performance models for the AI accelerator, Create pre‑silicon development assets such as golden reference models, co‑simulation, trace generation, and validation harnesses, and Ensure simulators remain fast through multithreading, JIT, binary translation, and distributed execution.
Successful candidates bring 5+ Years Building Simulators, Emulators, Virtual Platforms, ISS, Or Large-Scale Systems/Infrastructure Software and Work Authorization. Important skills include C++, Python, Computer Architecture Fundamentals, Pipelining, Memory Hierarchy, and ISAs. Preferred (not required): gem5, QEMU, SystemC-TLM, and Spike.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
About the role Build and own the software simulation stack for our AI accelerator — the functional, instruction-, and performance-level models that the compiler, runtime, and architecture teams develop and validate against long before silicon exists. Your simulators are how the rest of the company brings up software early, explores the design space, and predicts behavior; when they're fast and accurate, the whole program moves faster.
What you'll do
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Design, build, and maintain the software simulators and models of our AI accelerator — functional / ISA simulators, cycle-approximate performance models, and the C++/Python infrastructure around them
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Build the pre-silicon development surface for the software teams: golden reference models, co-simulation, trace generation, and validation harnesses the compiler and runtime develop against daily
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Keep the simulators fast enough to be the daily target — multithreading, JIT / binary translation, and distributed runs so real workloads finish in reasonable time
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Correlate models against RTL, emulation, and first silicon as they arrive, and drive the deltas back into the model to keep it trustworthy
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Use and develop AI-assisted tool flows to accelerate model development and validation
What we're looking for
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Exceptional modern C++ for performance-critical systems software, plus strong Python for tooling and infrastructure
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5+ years building simulators, emulators, virtual platforms, ISS, or large-scale systems/infrastructure software
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Solid computer-architecture fundamentals — pipelines, memory hierarchy, ISAs, and accelerator/GPU-class datapaths — enough to model hardware faithfully
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Real simulation/modeling judgment: functional vs. cycle-approximate trade-offs, validating against a reference, and optimizing the simulator's own performance
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Strong software-engineering practice — testing, CI, profiling, and debugging large long-lived codebases
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(Optional) gem5 / QEMU / SystemC-TLM / Spike or custom simulators; JIT / dynamic binary translation; ML frameworks & workloads; compiler/runtime exposure; distributed simulation; HW/SW co-design
Compensation Final offers depend on level, location, and skills relevant to the role. Additional compensation: equity grant per company guidelines; medical / dental / vision; 401(k); standard PTO.
Visa Sponsorship DensityAI sponsors qualified candidates for H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3, and other employment-based visas, and we welcome applicants on F-1 OPT and STEM-OPT. Work authorization is required at start; we provide immigration support to secure or transfer status.
Export Controls Aspects of this role may involve access to information subject to U.S. export controls (EAR/ITAR). We may discuss licensing or scope adjustments during the interview.
Equal Opportunity DensityAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40+), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. We comply with the California CROWN Act and provide reasonable accommodations on request.
Full compensation packages are based on candidate experience and relevant certifications.
California pay range $200,000 — $360,000 USD
Compensation Final offers depend on level, location, and skills relevant to the role. Additional compensation: equity grant per company guidelines; medical / dental / vision; 401(k); standard PTO.
Visa Sponsorship DensityAI sponsors qualified candidates for H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3, and other employment-based visas, and we welcome applicants on F-1 OPT and STEM-OPT. Work authorization is required at start; we provide immigration support to secure or transfer status.
Export Controls Aspects of this role may involve access to information subject to U.S. export controls (EAR/ITAR). We may discuss licensing or scope adjustments during the interview.
Equal Opportunity DensityAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40+), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. We comply with the California CROWN Act and provide reasonable accommodations on request.
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