Senior Software Architect

* We are not accepting outside agencies at this time*

Brain Chip is pioneering neuromorphic edge AI processors that deliver ultra-low-power intelligence at the point of data creation. We are seeking a seasoned Principal Software Architect with 7+ years of deep systems software experience to own the full developer platform for our 3rd-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

Reporting directly to the CTO and partnering closely with our internal compiler lead, you will architect, integrate, and deliver a production-grade software ecosystem—including a VS Code-based IDE with embedded LLM assistance, system-level profiling, target-side boot loader, RTOS integration, and advanced debugging—all built atop mature open-source foundations and our in-house compiler.

Your mission: assemble together a seamless, best-in-class developer experience that hides complexity and accelerates adoption of Brain Chip’s unique neuromorphic hardware.

This is a hybrid role, in our Laguna Hills, CA office 2x-3x a week.

• 1. Developer Platform Architecture & Integration
  :
  Own end-to-end integration of our internal compiler into a unified toolchain with runtime, IDE, debugger, profiler, and deployment pipeline.
• 2. VS Code IDE with LLM-Powered Developer Assistance
• 3. System-Level Profiling & Performance Observability
  • Architect a secure, minimal target boot loader supporting:
• 5. Debugging & Hardware-in-the-Loop Workflow
  • Extend GDB/LLDB with NPU-specific commands for cycle-accurate stepping, event tracing, and state inspection (membranes, synapses, queues).
  • Support JTAG, SWD, and OTA debug with non-intrusive hardware tracing.
• 6. Hardware-Software Co-Design Feedback Loop
  • Work hand-in-hand with the CTO and silicon team to expose hardware capabilities via software abstractions.
  • Use profiling and simulation data to influence microarchitecture (e.g., memory tiling, sparsity engines, event routing).

• Education:
  
  BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience:
  
  7+ years in systems software; 3+ years integrating and productizing complex tool chains (compilers, IDEs, debuggers, profilers).
• Proven success shipping VS Code extensions or full developer platforms used by external teams desired.
• Deep experience with open-source integration and upstream contribution workflows.
• Technical Expertise in many of the following:
  • IDE & Tooling: VS Code Extension API, LSP, DAP, Type Script, Web Assembly UI.
  • Debug & Profiling: GDB/LLDB extensions, OpenOCD, eBPF, perf, hardware trace (ETM/HTM).
  • RTOS & Embedded:
    Zephyr/FreeRTOS, device trees, linker scripts, bare-metal bring-up.
  • Languages:
    
    Expert in C/C++, Rust; strong in Python, Type Script.
• Domain Fit:
  Experience with edge AI, neuromorphic, or ultra-low-power SoCs strongly preferred and/or intense curiosity and interest.

• Upstream contributions to VS Code, LLVM, Zephyr, OpenOCD, or other large opensource projects.
• Experience with LLM integration in IDEs (Copilot, Code Llama, custom fine-tuned models).
• Secure boot and firmware update systems in production devices.
• Patents or publications in developer tools, profiling, or edge AI deployment.
• Strong Background in robotics and embedded system