Principal Architect Engineer — Systems, Compiler

As part of our mission to democratize neurotechnology, we are seeking a Principal Architect Engineer to lead the design of performance-critical, low-level system software that sits close to our hardware stack and powers real-time Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) applications.

This role is ideal for someone who has deep expertise in C++ systems programming, OS/kernel fundamentals, compiler/toolchain awareness, and hardware–software integration, and who thrives at the intersection of neuroscience, embedded systems, and scalable real-time computing.

Role Overview

As Principal Architect Engineer, you will architect, implement, and optimize the core system layer from device drivers and real-time data pipelines to system services and API abstractions. You will work across:

• Compiler and toolchain optimization

• OS-level and kernel subsystems

• Real-time signal acquisition

• High-performance C++ runtimes

• Embedded and edge-level architectures

You will provide strong technical leadership, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, algorithms, and AI researchers.

• Architect modular, extensible system frameworks that interface directly with hardware and firmware.

• Define low-level hardware/firmware/kernel/driver/API interfaces.

• Make critical architectural decisions balancing latency, throughput, and reliability.

• Drive compiler/toolchain optimization strategies for performance-critical paths.

• Develop high-performance C++14/17/20 system components with a focus on:

  • Low-latency, real-time execution

  • Multi-threading, synchronization, lock-free structures

  • Memory management, allocation strategies, and cache efficiency

• Implement:

  • Device drivers

  • Communication protocols

  • Real-time signal acquisition and streaming pipelines

• Build OS-level abstractions and libraries that expose hardware capabilities to higher-level SDKs.

• Collaborate with hardware teams on embedded interfaces and sensor data pipelines.

• Optimize software performance on:

  • Embedded Linux

  • RTOS environments

  • FPGAs and edge processors

• Work with kernel subsystems, interrupts, I/O scheduling, and low-level performance tuning.

• Profile and optimize systems across CPU/GPU/accelerator architectures.

• Use tools such as: gdb, perf, valgrind, ltrace/strace, eBPF.

• Implement production-grade reliability, fault-tolerance, recovery, and watchdog mechanisms.

• Define engineering standards, best practices, and system-level design docs.

• Mentor engineers in C++, systems programming, compiler-level thinking, and performance engineering.

• Stay current with cutting-edge work in:

  • OS internals and real-time computing

  • Compiler optimizations (LLVM, Clang, GCC)

  • High-performance systems programming

• Translate algorithmic and neural-signal research into efficient runtime implementations.

• Master's in Computer Science/Engineering or related field.

• Exceptional Bachelor's candidates may be considered.

• 9+ years in system-level C++ development, including OS-level, kernel, or compiler-adjacent work.

• Proven track record building complex, production-grade low-level systems.

• Expert C++ (C++14/17/20): STL, templates, design patterns, metaprogramming.

• Strong understanding of:

  • Multi-threading & concurrency

  • Lock-free design and synchronization

  • Memory models, allocators, and performance tuning

• Experience with:

  • Linux Kernel development, device drivers, system calls, interrupts

  • Embedded Linux or RTOS

  • Firmware interfaces, hardware bring-up

• Familiarity with toolchains and compilers (LLVM, Clang, GCC).

• Strong debugging and profiling chops (gdb, perf, valgrind, sanitizers).

• Experience with streaming, real-time signal processing, or high-frequency data acquisition.

• GPU programming (CUDA, OpenCL, Vulkan compute).

• Rust or Python integration with C++ pipelines.

• Experience in neurotech, robotics, IoT, or any real-time hardware domain.

• Knowledge of DSP, numerical methods, or ML-based signal processing.

• Strong systems thinking and ability to understand large, complex architectures.

• Exceptional problem-solving under tight latency/performance requirements.

• Cross-functional collaboration with hardware, AI, and product teams.

• Excellent communicator who documents clearly and leads by example.