Senior Compiler Engineer

Luminal is focused on optimizing AI models to accelerate and simplify model deployment. We are building an AI compiler that can make models up to 10x faster and turn AI research code into production code with a single line of code.

The AI stack needs to be rethought from the ground up to achieve this. As demand for inference grows, teams will need to run models across a wider range of hardware, not just the platforms with the most mature software support. Luminal makes AI workloads faster, more portable, and easier to deploy by automatically optimizing models for the ideal hardware. Our mission is to make state-of-the-art AI production-ready on any compute platform. We have already closed multiple contracts with non-Nvidia hardware platforms.

Luminal is backed by Y Combinator and Felicis as well as top-tier angels such as Paul Graham (founder of Y Combinator), Guillermo Rauch (founder of Vercel) and many others.

What You’ll Do

• Design and build core compiler infrastructure in Rust
• Build search-based optimization systems for discovering faster kernels
• Develop backend code generation for multiple targets (NVIDIA, Trainium, AMD, TPU, etc.)
• Implement compiler passes for fusion, scheduling, memory planning, and kernel selection
• Profile real models, identify bottlenecks, and improve latency and throughput
• Help shape Luminal’s engineering culture from the ground up

What we’re looking for

• Experience with compiler frameworks: LLVM, MLIR, or other custom compilers
• Hands-on experience with at least one of: PTX/SASS, GCN/RDNA assembly, or other GPU ISAs
• Familiar with ML compilers: torch.compile (or custom PyTorch backend), XLA, TVM, etc.

Nice to haves

• Background in distributed systems or multi-device compilation
• Experience with Egg/Egglog is a STRONG plus
• Experience with Rust
• Experience in developing and deploying AI models in production environments

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for a Founding Compiler Engineer located in downtown San Francisco. You will be responsible for assisting the design of the core compiler. Day-to-day tasks will include writing CUDA kernels, conducting model performance reviews, and shitposting on social media.

Interview Process

We move fast without cutting corners. Our process is designed to be rigorous, transparent, and respectful of your time.

Application Review

We review your application and aim to reply within 3 days.

Intro Call

A conversation to understand your background, motivations, and what excites you about Luminal. This is also a chance for you to ask us questions and learn more about the company.

Technical Call

A deeper technical conversation focused on your experience, problem-solving approach, and the type of work you would be doing at Luminal.

Onsite Interview

We’ll fly you to San Francisco and cover your hotel so you can spend time with the team in person. You’ll work through real-world technical problems, get a feel for how we operate, and spend time with the team over lunch.

Offer & Alignment

If we’re the right fit for each other, we’ll move quickly to bring you on board.