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Compiler Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Collaborate on the design and implementation of a compiler targeting a real-time, distributed, execution environment * Work with a diverse team including physicistsand other engineering disciplines ...

Senior Compiler Engineer - AI

Redmond, WA · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

Design and implement end-to-end compiler optimization workflows, from feature engineering and model development to compiler integration and production rollout. * Develop and integrate learning-based ...

Senior Compiler Engineer - AI

Austin, TX

$121K - $160K/yr

Design and implement end-to-end compiler optimization workflows, from feature engineering and model development to compiler integration and production rollout. * Develop and integrate learning-based ...

$140K/yr

Design and develop new compiler passes and optimizations required to meet the high-performance and low compilation time requirements of the compiler. * Work with global compiler, hardware and ...

You'll collaborate with the open-source community, Apple, and other companies using Swift while tackling deep technical challenges in language and compiler design. Overall you will * Enhance Compiler ...

Senior Software Engineer, CUTLASS Platform

Austin, TX · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Preferred : • Experience writing high-performance kernels at low levels of abstractions like NVVM/ PTX for GPUs or other similar parallel processing architectures. • Hands-on compiler design ...

Senior Software Engineer, CUTLASS Platform

Redmond, WA · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

Preferred : • Experience writing high-performance kernels at low levels of abstractions like NVVM/ PTX for GPUs or other similar parallel processing architectures. • Hands-on compiler design ...

Senior Software Engineer, CUTLASS Platform

Durham, NC · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Preferred : • Experience writing high-performance kernels at low levels of abstractions like NVVM/ PTX for GPUs or other similar parallel processing architectures. • Hands-on compiler design ...

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Compiler Design information

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$42K

$114.5K

$201.5K

How much do compiler design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for compiler design in the United States is $114,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Compiler Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Compiler Designer, you need a strong background in computer science, algorithms, and programming languages, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with languages like C/C++, Java, and tools such as Lex/Yacc, LLVM, or ANTLR is essential. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving are crucial soft skills for addressing complex parsing and optimization challenges. These skills and qualities are important to ensure efficient, reliable, and maintainable compiler development for translating high-level code into executable programs.

What is the salary of a compiler designer?

The salary of a compiler designer typically ranges from $80,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in compiler optimization or language design may earn higher salaries. Knowledge of programming languages and compiler tools can also influence compensation.

What is the difference between Compiler Design vs Software Engineer?

AspectCompiler DesignSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, specialized knowledge in programming languages and algorithmsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, general programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch and development, specialized teams, academic or industry labsVaried environments including tech companies, startups, or corporate IT teams
Industry UsagePrimarily in compiler development, programming language design, and systems softwareSoftware development across multiple domains like web, mobile, enterprise applications

While Compiler Design focuses on creating and optimizing compilers and language translation tools, Software Engineers develop a wide range of software applications. Both roles require strong programming skills, but Compiler Design is more specialized, often involving deep knowledge of programming languages and algorithms. Software Engineers have broader responsibilities, working on various software projects across industries.

What is a compiler designer?

A compiler designer is a software engineer who develops and improves compilers, which translate high-level programming languages into machine code. They work with programming language syntax, algorithms, and tools like parser generators to create efficient translation processes. Strong knowledge of programming languages, algorithms, and software development is essential for this role.

What is compiler design?

Compiler design is the field of computer science and engineering that focuses on creating compilers, which are specialized programs that translate code written in one programming language (the source language) into another language, typically machine code or an intermediate language. The process involves several stages, such as lexical analysis, parsing, semantic analysis, optimization, and code generation. Compiler design plays a crucial role in software development by improving code efficiency and enabling portability across different hardware architectures.

What engineer makes 500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in specialized fields like compiler design or working at large tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership responsibilities or executive roles.

Is coding a dead-end job?

Compiler design is a specialized field within software development that involves creating tools to translate programming languages into executable code. It offers ongoing learning opportunities, as advancements in programming languages and hardware require continuous skill updates. Coding careers, including compiler design, are generally not dead-end jobs, as demand persists for software optimization and language development.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in compiler design roles?

Professionals in compiler design often encounter challenges such as optimizing code for performance without sacrificing correctness, supporting multiple programming languages or hardware architectures, and debugging complex translation errors. Collaboration with language designers and systems programmers is frequent, as compilers must integrate smoothly with other development tools and environments. Staying current with evolving technologies and language standards is also essential, requiring ongoing learning and adaptation.
More about Compiler Design jobs
What states have the most Compiler Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Compiler Design jobs include:

Quantum Compiler Engineer - 466

Quantinuum

Broomfield, CO • On-site

$136K - $173K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

We are seeking anQuantum Compiler Engineerfor ourBroomfield, COlocation.
Our compiler team builds the software that makes our quantum computers useful. We turn quantum programs into hardware-ready instructions that can run efficiently on our trapped-ion systems, and we solve the hard compiler problems required to scale performance as the technology advances.
As a Quantum Compiler Engineer, you will develop the languages, optimization passes, and hardware-aware compilation strategies that power next-generation quantum computing. You will work across the stack - from front-end tooling to real-time, high-performance backends - with a focus on performance, correctness, and scalability.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to tackle deep compiler challenges in a fast-moving R&D environment. You will help shape how quantum programs are optimized, routed, and executed, and your work will directly influence the capabilities of our quantum systems.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Contribute to the development of compiler front-end (quantum languages), back-end (machine-specific targeting), and optimization (quantum circuit optimization and classical optimization) passes operating on both classical and quantum operations

  • Benchmark, profile, and optimize the execution of our compiler and the quality and performance of quantum programs it generates

  • Collaborate on the design and implementation of a compiler targeting a real-time, distributed, execution environment

  • Work with a diverse team including physicistsand other engineering disciplines to solve complex problems

  • Write high quality, maintainable code in an R&D and rapid prototyping environment

YOU MUST HAVE:
  • Bachelors Degree minimum

  • Minimum 2+ years of industry or post-graduate experience in an engineering, lab, or R&D environment

  • Minimum 3+ years of programming experience with Rust, C++, or similar language

  • Coursework in compiler fundamentals and a strong understanding of compiler design
  • Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person defined as, U.S. citizen permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status
  • Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People's Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

WE VALUE:
  • Masters/PhD degree in Computer Science

  • History of working with and developing for the LLVM toolchain

  • Ability to solve complex problems and ability to communicate how you did it

  • Track-record using python or other rapid prototyping and development tools to solve complex challenges

  • Rust development experience with a track-record of contribution to open-source and commercial projects

  • Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of algorithms, including tree, graph, SAT, and, at times Machine Learning and other algorithms

  • Experience with development of application-specificalgorithms, especially where exact/optimal solutions are computationally intractable

  • Proficiency with software testing and deployment tools

$136,000 - $173,000 a year
Compensation & Benefits:
The pay range for this role is $136,000- $173,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate's skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.
Quantinuum is the world leader in quantum computing. The company's quantum systems deliver the highest performance across all industry benchmarks. Quantinuum's over 650 employees, including 400+ scientists and engineers, across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, are driving the quantum computing revolution.
By uniting best-in-class software with high-fidelity hardware, our integrated full-stack approach is accelerating the path to practical quantum computing and scaling its impact across multiple industries.
By joining Quantinuum, you'll be at the forefront of this transformative revolution, shaping the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible.
What's in it for you?
A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work
Flexible work schedule
Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit
Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time
Paid parental leave
Employee discounts
Quantinuum is an equal opportunity employer. You will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status. Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, there is no application deadline for this position.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.