Research Engineer - AI (Sunnyvale)

Kadence is partnered with an exciting and innovative Quantum AI company in the Bay Area, working with cutting-edge technology and operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and next-generation computing. The Role As a Research Engineer, you will act as a bridge between theoretical research and real-world implementation. You’ll partner with scientists and researchers to translate early-stage ideas into scalable, high-performance systems.

Your work will focus on building the tools, infrastructure, and optimized implementations that enable rapid experimentation and accelerate the pace of innovation across the team. Location: San Francisco Bay Area Key Responsibilities Research & Algorithm Enablement Translate research concepts and algorithms into efficient, production-quality code Build reusable components and libraries to support ongoing research efforts Develop frameworks that allow rapid prototyping and iteration of new ideas Contribute to benchmarking and evaluation methodologies for experimental approaches Machine Learning Systems Design and implement training pipelines for advanced and hybrid ML models Optimize model performance across training and inference workflows Apply numerical methods and optimization techniques to support model development Enable reproducible experimentation with strong tracking and data management practices Performance & Systems Engineering Develop high-performance computing solutions, particularly leveraging GPUs Improve efficiency, scalability, and reliability of compute-intensive workloads Support distributed systems and large-scale experimentation environments Build tools that connect high-level algorithms to underlying execution systems What We’re Looking For Experience building shared infrastructure, frameworks, or tools used by technical teams Strong ability to interpret research papers and implement them effectively Solid understanding of performance optimization in compute-heavy systems Practical approach to software engineering, including testing and iteration Curiosity and interest in emerging areas of AI and advanced computing Preferred Experience Proficiency with PyTorch, JAX, or similar ML frameworks Experience with GPU programming (e.g., CUDA or equivalent) Background in numerical computing, optimization, or scientific computing Familiarity with large-scale ML systems or research environments Strong foundation in mathematics (linear algebra, probability, algorithms) Exposure to compilers, low-level systems, or performance-critical infrastructure is a plus Why Join This role offers the opportunity to work on highly complex, forward-looking problems that push the boundaries of AI and computing. You’ll play a key role in enabling breakthroughs by turning ideas into systems that scale.

What’s Offered Competitive salary and equity package Comprehensive health and wellness benefits Flexible PTO and supportive work culture Visa sponsorship available where applicable Collaborative, mission-driven team environment Comp $200,000 - $240,000 base, plus equity and benefits