Kernel Engineering Manager

About Modular

At Modular, we’re on a mission to revolutionize AI infrastructure by systematically rebuilding the AI software stack from the ground up. Our team, made up of industry leaders and experts, is building cutting-edge, modular infrastructure that simplifies AI development and deployment. By rethinking the complexities of AI systems, we’re empowering everyone to unlock AI’s full potential and tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of AI and creating tools that make a real difference in people’s lives, we want you on our team. You can read about our culture and careers to understand how we work and what we value.

About the role:

ML developers today face significant friction in taking trained models into deployment. They work in a highly fragmented space, with incomplete and patchwork solutions that require significant performance tuning and non-generalizable/ model-specific enhancements. At Modular, we are building the next generation AI platform that will radically improve the way developers build and deploy AI models.

This role focuses on providing customers with a platform that delivers state-of-the-art performance across various model families and use cases. As the MAX Kernels team leader, you will oversee engineers who specialize in cutting-edge GPU kernels to accelerate Modular’s MAX platform.

LOCATION: Candidates based in the United States are welcome to apply. You can work in our office in Los Altos, CA or remotely from home. Onboarding for new hires is conducted in-person in our Los Altos, CA office.

What you will do:

• Lead and scale the Kernel team responsible for developing cutting-edge AI algorithms and compute building blocks for the MAX platform across various GPU hardware.
• Drive the development and optimization of kernels and algorithms to deliver top-tier performance and accuracy across the entire GenAI inference solution stack.
• Collaborate with other teams to analyze and optimize AI performance on diverse GPU architectures throughout the stack.
• Provide technical leadership by implementing new optimization approaches and staying current with the latest advancements in hardware and algorithms.
• Make critical architectural decisions that impact the entire platform and guide the technical direction of the team.
• Mentor team members and others within the company, fostering both personal and team development at the forefront of technology.
• Establish and maintain deep technical expertise within the team while managing shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultivate high-performing team culture and foster collaboration across the entire engineering organization.

What you bring to the table:

• 7+ years of experience in people management.
• 15+ years of experience in the field of high performance programming, performance analysis, and related areas. 
• Deep understanding of GPU computer architecture (memory hierarchies, tensor-cores, etc.) and their impact on algorithm design.
• Self motivation with the ability to design, communicate and lead new projects.
• Experience with GPU programming languages such as CUDA or OpenCL.
• Familiarity with GPU assembly such as PTX and SASS.
• Knowledge of SOTA frameworks such as CUTLASS, TRTLLM, Triton, etc.
• Able to identify industry trends, analyze emerging technologies and disruptive paradigms. 
• Creativity and curiosity for solving complex problems, a team-oriented attitude that enables you to work well with others, and alignment with our culture.

What Modular brings to the table:

• Amazing Team. We are a progressive and agile team with some of the industry’s best engineering and product leaders.
• World-class Benefits. In order to attract the best, we need to offer the best. Premier insurance plans, up to 5% 401k matching, flexible paid time off, and more are available to you! Please note that specific benefit packages may vary based on your location.
• Competitive Compensation. We offer very strong compensation packages, including stock options. We want people to be focused on their best work and believe in tailoring compensation plans to meet the needs of our workforce. 
• Team Building Events. We organize regular team onsites and local meetups in different cities.

Working at Modular will enable you to grow quickly as you work alongside incredibly motivated and talented people who have high standards, possess a growth mindset, and a purpose to truly change the world.

The estimated base salary range for this role to be performed in the US, regardless of the state, is $261,000.00 - $363,000.00 USD. 

The salary for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of permissible, non-discriminatory job-related factors, which include but are not limited to education, training, work experience, business needs, or market demands. This range may be modified in the future. The total compensation for a candidate will also include annual target bonus, equity, and benefits, with equity making up a significant portion of your total compensation.

For candidates who fall outside of the listed requirements, we nevertheless encourage you to apply as we may have openings that are lower/higher level than the ones advertised. 

Modular is proud to emphasize an equal opportunity, safe environment for people to do their best work. Modular is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let your recruiter know, and we will work with you to meet your needs in compliance with the ADA.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.