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

• 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
• 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
• Keep the simulators fast enough to be the daily target — multithreading, JIT / binary translation, and distributed runs so real workloads finish in reasonable time
• Correlate models against RTL, emulation, and first silicon as they arrive, and drive the deltas back into the model to keep it trustworthy
• Use and develop AI-assisted tool flows to accelerate model development and validation

What we're looking for

• Exceptional modern C++ for performance-critical systems software, plus strong Python for tooling and infrastructure
• 5+ years building simulators, emulators, virtual platforms, ISS, or large-scale systems/infrastructure software
• Solid computer-architecture fundamentals — pipelines, memory hierarchy, ISAs, and accelerator/GPU-class datapaths — enough to model hardware faithfully
• Real simulation/modeling judgment: functional vs. cycle-approximate trade-offs, validating against a reference, and optimizing the simulator's own performance
• Strong software-engineering practice — testing, CI, profiling, and debugging large long-lived codebases
• (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.