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Compiler Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About the Role We're looking for a Front End Compiler Engineer to own the ingestion layer of our high-performance, portable AI compiler. This is where the journey begins - you'll build the systems ...

About the Role We're looking for a Front End Compiler Engineer to own the ingestion layer of our high-performance, portable AI compiler. This is where the journey begins -- you'll build the systems ...

Compiler Engineer

Folsom, CA ยท On-site

$149K - $211K/yr

We are looking for an experienced MSVC Compiler Engineer to contribute to the development of the Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) compiler toolchain for Intel Architecture. In this role, you will work on ...

Senior Compiler Engineer - AI

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

NVIDIA is a leader in computer graphics and AI technology, seeking a Senior Compiler Engineer with expertise in compiler technologies. The role involves driving innovative solutions in compilers and ...

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Compiler Software Engineer to enable open source developers to build software for Qualcomm silicon. The role involves enhancing compiler toolsets and ...

Senior Compiler Engineer Infrastructure

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site +1

$127K - $173K/yr

We are looking for an experienced Compiler Infrastructure Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a primary focus on aligning NVIDIA's compiler codebases with open-source ecosystems and ...

Compiler Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$160K - $300K/yr

Design, develop, and maintain compiler toolchains that translate machine learning models from industry-standard frameworks into optimized workloads for TetraMem's analog in-memory computing hardware.

Senior LLVM Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

We are seeking for an expert Senior Compiler Engineer to join our Compute Compiler Team, with a focus on upstream engagement with the LLVM ecosystem and advancing NVIDIA's compiler technology through ...

Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$128K - $181K/yr

As a Compiler Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, testing, debugging, and maintaining Intel's industry-leading LLVM-based compiler stack, including C, C++, SYCL, and ...

NVIDIA's HPC Compiler team is looking to hire a Compiler Engineering Manager to join the team building one of the world's most important optimizing compiler products. Your work will support ...

Senior Fortran Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

NVIDIA's HPC compiler group is seeking a Fortran compiler developer to contribute to the development of a high-performance optimizing compiler. The role involves solving complex problems at the ...

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Compiler information

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How much do compiler jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for compiler in California is $20.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Compiler Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming languages, and compiler theory, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools like LLVM, GCC, and experience with languages such as C/C++ or Rust are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this field. These skills ensure the development of efficient, reliable compilers that support robust software and systems development.

What are the common challenges faced when working as a Compiler Engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Compiler Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing code for performance, ensuring compatibility across various hardware architectures, and maintaining the correctness of complex transformations. Debugging and diagnosing issues in the compilation process can be particularly intricate, requiring a strong understanding of both source and target languages. Collaborating closely with language designers and hardware engineers, as well as utilizing automated testing and profiling tools, helps address these challenges and results in more robust and efficient compilers.

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. Skilled professionals with expertise in programming languages, algorithms, and tools like LLVM or GCC tend to earn higher salaries.

What is a compiler job?

A compiler job involves developing, maintaining, or improving software that translates source code written in programming languages into executable machine code. This role requires knowledge of programming languages, algorithms, and tools like compiler design, and often involves working with programming languages such as C or C++. Compiler engineers ensure that code is efficiently translated and optimized for different hardware platforms.

What is a compiler?

A compiler is a specialized computer program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code or another lower-level language that a computer can execute. This process allows developers to write code in languages like C++, Java, or Python, which are easier for humans to understand, and then have it converted into instructions that hardware can process. Compilers perform various tasks such as syntax analysis, optimization, and code generation to ensure the resulting program runs efficiently and correctly.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those working in high-demand areas like Silicon Valley or with expertise in specialized fields such as machine learning or cloud computing, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often stock options or bonuses as part of compensation packages.

What is the difference between Compiler vs Interpreter?

AspectCompilerInterpreter
FunctionTranslates entire code into machine language before executionTranslates code line-by-line during execution
SpeedFaster execution after compilationSlower due to real-time translation
UsageUsed in languages like C, C++Used in languages like Python, JavaScript
ErrorsErrors are found after compilationErrors are detected during execution
OutputProduces standalone executable filesRuns directly from source code

In summary, a compiler translates the entire program into machine code before execution, resulting in faster runtime and standalone files. An interpreter translates code line-by-line during execution, which can be slower but allows for easier debugging and dynamic execution. Both are essential in different programming environments depending on performance and development needs.

What does a compiler do?

A compiler is a software developer role responsible for translating source code written in a programming language into machine code that a computer's processor can execute. This process involves analyzing, optimizing, and converting code to ensure it runs efficiently on hardware. Knowledge of programming languages, algorithms, and debugging tools is essential for this job.
What are the most commonly searched types of Compiler jobs in California? The most popular types of Compiler jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Compiler jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Compiler jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Compiler jobs? Cities in California with the most Compiler job openings:
Infographic showing various Compiler job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,720 per year, or $20.5 per hour.
Compiler Engineer - Machine Learning Compiler

Compiler Engineer - Machine Learning Compiler

Mythic

Palo Alto, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

About us

Mythic is building the future of AI computing with breakthrough analog technology that delivers 100 the performance of traditional digital systems at the same power and cost. This unlocks bigger, more capable models and faster, more responsive applications-whether in edge devices like drones, robotics, and sensors, or in cloud and data center environments. Our technology powers everything from large language models and CNNs to advanced signal processing, and is engineered to operate from -40 C to +125 C, making it ideal for industrial, automotive, aerospace, and defense.
We've raised over $100M from world-class investors including Softbank, Threshold Ventures, Lux Capital, and DCVC, and secured multi-million-dollar customer contracts across multiple markets.

About the role

Join us in building the next generation of AI compilers. You'll play a key role in developing the compiler for our novel AI accelerator, working side-by-side with hardware engineers and ML researchers. Your work will shape how deep learning workloads run on cutting-edge dataflow hardware-defining the instruction set, execution model, and developer experience. The result: a compiler that delivers breakthrough performance while remaining seamless and intuitive for ML developers.
Here's what you will do
  • Contribute across the full compiler stack, including operator lowering, graph/IR transformations, optimization passes, and backend code generation
  • Optimize for dataflow architectures, developing pipelined schedules, memory orchestration, and resource-constrained execution strategies
  • Collaborate with hardware architects to influence architectural features, ensuring the compiler and hardware evolve together
  • Develop compilation strategies that unify our analog compute with digital subsystems
  • Build and maintain a compiler that produces high-performance binaries with strong debugging support, clear error messages, and predictable performance models
Here's the background we hope you will have
  • 3+ years of experience building compilers or high-performance systems software, especially those involving complex resource management or optimization.
  • Expert in modern C++ (C++14/17/20) and strong Python.
  • Experience with compiler IRs (SSA-based or graph-based), transformations, and code generation
  • Exposure to specialized accelerators (GPU, NPU, FPGA, or custom ASIC) or parallel architectures
The following would be nice to have, but is not required
  • Experience with machine learning compiler stacks (e.g., ONNX, MLIR, TVM, XLA, IREE, PyTorch), with contributions to MLIR or LLVM projects a plus
  • Experience with optimization methods (LP/MIP, CP, SAT/SMT) using solvers like Gurobi or OR-Tools for scheduling and resource allocation
  • Experience compiling for specialized accelerators (GPU, NPU, FPGA, or custom ASIC) on DNN workloads; GPU/DSP experience is valuable if combined with compiler backend work beyond kernel tuning
  • Familiarity with heterogeneous compilation, especially mixing custom accelerators with CPUs/GPUs/NPUs, and exposure to analog or in-memory compute is a plus
  • Experience collaborating in compiler-hardware co-design (architecture + ISA) for better compiler usability and hardware efficiency
What we offer
  • The opportunity to shape how deep learning and LLM workloads are compiled on novel hardware.
  • A role that spans software and hardware co-design, shaping both the compiler and the accelerator architecture
  • A collaborative, innovative team that values engineering rigor, continuous integration, and user-focused design. We foster an environment of shared learning and technical excellence
  • Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits package
At Mythic, we foster a collaborative and respectful environment where people can do their best work. We hire smart, capable individuals, provide the tools and support they need, and trust them to deliver. Our team brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives, which we see as a strength in solving hard problems together. We value professionalism, creativity, and integrity, and strive to make Mythic a place where every employee feels they belong and can contribute meaningfully.
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