Senior Architect – Future Compute Platform

About imec Qatar 

Imec Qatar is a new regional office where we drive our mission of pioneering innovative semiconductor solutions that lay the foundation for a smarter, greener, and truly AI-driven future. Specializing in advanced design tools for emerging technologies like silicon photonics and 3D integrated circuits, imec Qatar is at the forefront of chip development. And we're driving the future with intelligent solutions to optimize infrastructure, and deep-tech innovations targeting applications for a sustainable society. 
This is more than just a new office - it's the start of an exciting journey. With the launch of imec Qatar, you have the unique opportunity to join us from day one and help shape the future of semiconductor innovation in the region. Be part of the team from the very beginning, joining us as Senior Architect – Future Compute Platform! 

What you will do

Join imec's Falcon Research Center in Qatar as a Senior Researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence and computer architecture. You will pioneer the application of advanced AI techniques to revolutionize how we design and optimize future compute platforms, working on cutting-edge RISC-V based architectures for HPC and Mobile SoC applications. 

In this highly collaborative role, you'll bridge the worlds of machine learning and chip design, developing AI-assisted tools and methodologies that accelerate architecture exploration, optimize design decisions, and validate performance. Working alongside computer architects, chip designers, and software engineers, you'll translate research innovations into practical tools and frameworks that push the boundaries of what's possible in compute platform design. 

• Research & Technical Leadership 
  
  • Lead research initiatives applying AI/ML to computer architecture design space exploration 
  • Develop and implement AI-assisted methodologies for architecture optimization, performance prediction, and design validation 
  • Define technical direction for projects in collaboration with Compute Research and AI leadership 
  • Guide the team in achieving key milestones of the Compute Research roadmap 
• Hands-On Development & Implementation 
  
  • Design and implement AI models for architecture performance prediction, workload characterization, and design space exploration 
  • Develop surrogate models and optimization frameworks for rapid architecture evaluation 
  • Build tools and frameworks enabling heterogeneous compute platform design and validation 
  • Contribute to the reference architecture implementation, integrating AI-assisted design flows 
  • Take proof-of-concepts through to working prototypes and demonstration systems 
• Collaboration & Mentorship 
  
  • Work in a multidisciplinary team spanning ML researchers, computer architects, and chip designers 
  • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members on AI/ML methodologies 
  • Foster knowledge exchange between AI and hardware design domains 
  • Lead by example through hands-on contributions and collaborative problem-solving 
• Scientific Contribution 
  
  • Publish research findings in top-tier ML and computer architecture venues 
  • Present work at international conferences and technical workshops 
  • Contribute to open-source tools and frameworks in the AI-assisted design community 
  • Stay current with state-of-the-art in both AI/ML and computer architecture research 

You will be part of imec, and that means… 

You will join a world-class research center in nanotechnology at our brand-new office in Doha (Qatar). You will build a team that shapes technology that will determine the society of tomorrow. Imec is an inclusive employer with an open, multicultural, and informal working environment. We provide ample room for initiative and professional development. 

Who you are

Required skills 

• PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Machine Learning, or related STEM field (or MSc with 8+ years equivalent experience) 
• 5+ years of experience in applied research and/or development of AI/ML applications 
• Deep expertise in one or more of the following:  
• Reinforcement Learning for design optimization 
• Bayesian Optimization and hyperparameter tuning 
• Graph Neural Networks for hardware representation 
• Surrogate modeling and transfer learning 
• Agentic AI systems and multi-agent frameworks 
• Strong scientific programming skills with demonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable, production-quality code 
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or similar) 
• Experience with version control (Git), code review practices, and collaborative development workflows 
• Excellent documentation skills and commitment to reproducible research 
• Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams 
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal 
• Familiarity or experience with R&D of SoC Architectures and ASICs Design is a big plus. 
  

Preferred 

• Experience leading ML teams in research or development environments
• Familiarity with computer architecture concepts, design space exploration, or performance modeling 
• Background in SoC architecture design, ASIC development, or hardware-software co-design 
• Knowledge of RISC-V ISA or other processor architectures 
• Experience with:  
• Architecture simulators (gem5, Sniper, or similar) 
• Hardware description languages (Verilog, Chisel) 
• EDA tools and ASIC design flows 
• High-performance computing or parallel computing 
• Track record of publications at premier venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ISCA, MICRO, DAC, ICCAD) 
• Contributions to open-source ML or hardware design tools 
• Experience working in international, multicultural research environments 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.