Hardcore Engineer - Pre-training Infrastructure

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. The team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence, operating with a flat organizational structure. This role involves designing, building, and implementing large-scale distributed training systems, profiling, debugging, and optimizing multi-host GPU utilization, and engaging in hardware/software/algorithm co-design. Engineers are expected to maintain and innovate on the codebase and build tools to boost team productivity.

Must Have

• Design, build, and implement large-scale distributed training systems.
• Profiling, debugging, and optimizing multi-host GPU utilization.
• Hardware / Software / Algorithm co-design.
• Maintain and innovate on the codebase.
• Build tools to boost the productivity of the team.

Good to Have

• Experience in configuring and troubleshooting operating systems for maximum performance.
• Built scalable training framework for AI models in HPC clusters.
• Experience with scalable orchestration framework and tools.
• Knowledge of machine learning compilers and runtime such as XLA, MLIR, and Triton.
• Familiarity with distributed training strategies such as FSDP, Megatron, and pipeline parallelism.
• Experience with NCCL or custom communication libraries for performant communication collectives.

Perks & Benefits

• Equity
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short & long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Various other discounts and perks

About xAI

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

Tech Stack

• Python / Rust / C++
• Linux and POSIX
• JAX and XLA
• ibverbs, NVLink (NCCL)
• CUDA (C++ and Triton)

Focus

• Design, build, and implement large-scale distributed training systems.
• Profiling, debugging, and optimizing multi-host GPU utilization.
• Hardware / Software / Algorithm co-design.
• Maintain and innovate on the codebase.
• Build tools to boost the productivity of the team.

Ideal Experiences

• Experience in configuring and troubleshooting operating systems for maximum performance.
• Built scalable training framework for AI models in HPC clusters, including but not limited to
• Scalable orchestration framework and tools
• Machine learning compilers and runtime such as XLA, MLIR, and Triton
• Distributed training strategies such as FSDP, Megatron, and pipeline parallelism
• NCCL or custom communication libraries for performant communication collectives

Interview Process

After submitting your application, the team reviews your CV and statement of exceptional work. If your application passes this stage, you will be invited to a 15-minute interview (“phone interview”) during which a member of our team will ask some basic questions. If you clear the initial phone interview, you will enter the main process, which consists of four technical interviews:

1. Coding assessment in a language of your choice.

2. Systems hands-on: Demonstrate practical skills in a live problem-solving session.

3. Project deep-dive: Present your past exceptional work to a small audience.

4. Meet and greet with the wider team.

Our goal is to finish the main process within one week. All interviews will be conducted via Google Meet.

Annual Salary Range

$180,000 - $440,000 USD

Benefits

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

xAI is an equal opportunity employer.