Systems Software Engineer

Quadric is redefining edge AI with the industry's first General Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU), enabling developers to run both neural network inference and conventional C++ code on a single programmable architecture. Our technology powers intelligent edge devices across automotive, industrial, robotics, and embedded systems.

Founded in 2016 and based in downtown Burlingame, California, Quadric is building the world's first supercomputer designed for the real-time needs of edge devices. Quadric aims to empower developers in every industry with superpowers to create tomorrow's technology, today. The company was co-founded by technologists from MIT and Carnegie Mellon, who were previously the technical co-founders of the Bitcoin computing company 21.

Quadric has created an innovative General-Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU) architecture. As a member of our Systems Team
, you will be responsible for the foundational software layers—drivers, debuggers, assemblers, and simulators that bridge our high-level SDK with custom hardware.

This is a high-impact role for an engineer with deep domain expertise who wants to build something monumental alongside a great team. You will own critical components of our low-level stack and collaborate closely with both hardware and software engineers to ensure our GPNPU remains a seamless, ultra-high-performance target for developers.

Foundational Toolchain & Simulator Development

• Instruction Set Simulator: Maintain and optimize our simulator used for architecture validation and software development. Because simulator development happens ahead of physical silicon, you will directly influence hardware and software co-design decisions.
• Loader & Assembler: Drive the design of our low-level toolchain, ensuring efficient translation, binary execution (e.g., ELF formats), and loading of code.

Hardware Abstraction & Debugger Infrastructure

• Remote Debugger: Develop, enhance, and refine debugging tools and backends that provide deep, low-level visibility into core GPNPU execution.
• C++ Host & Core Device APIs: Design, maintain, and document clean, well-defined abstraction layers and public C++ APIs that allow users and SDKs to interact with our hardware with minimal friction.

Within your first 6–12 months, you'll:

• Independently own and expand one or more key components of the systems stack (Simulator, Loader/Assembler, Debugger, or C++ Host APIs).
• Influence next-generation GPNPU hardware and software specifications by identifying execution trade-offs within the Instruction Set Simulator.
• Deliver production-ready, low-latency API abstractions and debugging utilities trusted by internal SDK developers and external customers.

Required

• 5 years+ experience in building systems software: simulators, tool chains, debuggers, drivers, or performance critical C++ libraries
• Deep comfort with modern C++ (C++17/20) and systems-level programming paradigms.
• Advanced understanding of RAII, manual memory management, object lifetimes, ownership models, and memory access optimization.
• Ability to identify, design, and maintain clean abstraction layers that result in readable, maintainable, and scalable code.
• A proactive, adaptable attitude toward tackling the unique challenges of a brand-new processor architecture.
• Boundary
  
  Experience:
  
  Demonstrated track record tackling complexity at the boundary of hardware and software across one or more of the following:
• Architectural Simulation:
  Building/extending cycle-accurate or functional simulators (e.g., Gem5, QEMU, or proprietary tools).
• Debugger Backends:
  Working on the "guts" of debuggers (breakpoints, memory inspection, GDB stubs/remote protocols).
• Developer APIs:
  Shipping…