NPU Architect - Remote (US & Canada)

A client of BEARCloud is seeking an experienced Senior NPU Architect to help design and optimize next-generation AI acceleration technology. This role will work across architecture, hardware, and software teams to develop high-performance NPU solutions leveraging advanced in-memory computing.The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in computer architecture and microarchitecture, with experience designing AI accelerators, NPUs, GPUs, SoCs, or other high-performance compute architectures.What You'll Do

• Design and define NPU architecture and microarchitecture, including compute engines, memory subsystems, and on-chip networks.
• Develop architectural features based on AI workload requirements and hardware/software performance needs.
• Build and enhance architectural and performance models using C++ simulation frameworks.
• Analyze performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize compute, memory movement, and hardware utilization.
• Evaluate modern AI/ML workloads including LLMs, diffusion models, and CNNs to guide architectural decisions.
• Partner with design and verification teams to develop validation and testing strategies for new architectural features.
• Collaborate across architecture, hardware, software, and AI teams on hardware/software co-design.
• Research emerging AI accelerator technologies and contribute to future product architecture.

What We're Looking For

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field with approximately 5–8 years of relevant industry experience.
• Ph.D. with 2–4 years of applicable experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of computer architecture, microarchitecture, and digital design.
• Experience with NPUs, AI accelerators, GPUs, custom silicon, SoCs, or high-performance compute architectures.
• Understanding of AI/ML algorithms, frameworks, and workloads.
• Strong programming experience with C/C++ and Python.
• Experience with Verilog or SystemVerilog.
• Knowledge of memory architecture, on-chip interconnects/networking, and performance modeling.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across architecture, RTL/design, verification, software, and AI teams.

Ideal BackgroundYou'll be especially well suited for this role if you've worked on NPU or AI accelerator architecture, performance modeling, memory systems, on-chip networks, or custom silicon and enjoy solving performance challenges at the intersection of AI, hardware, and software.