Senior Pre-Silicon SoC Modeling Engineer, Annapurna Labs Machine Learning Accelerators, AWS

AWSs Trainium and Inferentia chips power the worlds largest machine learning clusters. Our team builds C models of these custom SoCs that RTL designers verification engineers and software teams depend on throughout the silicon development lifecycle. Were looking for a modeling engineer to build and own models that directly impact how our chips are designed verified and brought to production.

What youll do:

- Build and own models of SoC subsystems translating architecture specs and RTL behavior into accurate testable C models
- Work directly with RTL design and verification teams to validate model behavior against RTL debug discrepancies and support pre-silicon verification flows
- Develop model-based test infrastructure: regression suites RTL correlation checks and coverage-driven testing
- Contribute to performance modeling efforts building cycle-approximate models that help architects evaluate design trade-offs before RTL exists
- Improve modeling methodology and infrastructure: how models are structured integrated tested and released to DV and architecture teams
- Collaborate with chip architects to understand upcoming designs and plan modeling work ahead of RTL availability

Why this role is interesting:

- Your models are used to verify silicon before its built bugs you catch save months of schedule and millions of dollars
- Youll work at the intersection of software engineering and chip design with deep visibility into how custom ML accelerators are architected
- As the team scales theres a clear path into architectural modeling using your models to influence chip design decisions not just validate them
- Small team high ownership direct impact on AWSs most strategic silicon programs

You will thrive in this role if you:

- Have built functional or performance models of SoCs ASICs GPUs CPUs or IP blocks
- Are comfortable working with architectural / design specifications or reference implementations and translating them into C or SystemC models
- Understand verification concepts and have worked with DV teams or in pre-silicon validation environments
- Care about model fidelity and have experience correlating models against RTL or silicon
- Are interested in expanding into architectural performance modeling as the team grows
- Enjoy working on a small high-impact team where you own significant pieces of the stack

No ML background needed. Youll learn the ML accelerator domain on the job.

This role can be based in Cupertino CA or Austin TX.

- 6 years of full software development life cycle including coding standards code reviews source control management build processes testing and operations experience
- Experience as a mentor tech lead or leading an engineering team
- 6 years writing functional or performance models of hardware (SoCs ASICs GPUs CPUs IP blocks)
- Experience programming in C using advanced language features
- Knowledge of SoC CPU GPU and/or ASIC architecture and micro-architecture

- Experience working with DV teams or integrating models into verification flows
- Experience correlating functional models against RTL simulation emulation or silicon
- Experience developing and calibrating performance models for custom silicon
- Experience with SystemC TLM or cycle-approximate modeling methodologies
- Experience building regression and CI frameworks for model validation
- Familiarity with Modern C (20 and beyond)
- Experience with multi-threaded or distributed simulation
- ML accelerator architecture knowledge (a plus not required)

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status disability or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees supervisors and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees supervisors and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal state and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct adverse and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies exercise sound judgment effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism and safeguard business operations and the Companys reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience qualifications and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical dental vision prescription Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans EAP Mental Health Support Medical Advice Line Flexible Spending Accounts Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage) 401(k) matching paid time off and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at CA Cupertino - 193300.00 - 261500.00 USD annually
USA TX Austin - 168100.00 - 227400.00 USD annually