Senior Compiler Performance Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Compiler Performance Engineer based in India.

As a Senior Compiler Performance Engineer, you will drive the performance evolution of a mature, production-grade Java just-in-time (JIT) compiler built on LLVM. You will take ownership of major optimization areas, identifying opportunities to improve generated machine code and delivering measurable speedups across real-world enterprise workloads. Working within a distributed team of compiler specialists, you will influence optimization priorities and help advance the capabilities of a high-performance Java runtime platform. Your work will span compiler middle-end and back-end optimizations, code generation, and support for modern processor architectures. You will also investigate complex customer performance issues, contribute to upstream compiler development, and mentor fellow engineers. This role offers the opportunity to solve challenging systems-level problems where compiler theory, hardware knowledge, and rigorous performance analysis directly impact production performance.

• Own end-to-end performance improvements for assigned workloads or compiler optimization areas, covering performance analysis, solution design, implementation, testing, and validation.

• Design, implement, and refine compiler optimizations across the middle end and back end, including inlining heuristics, loop optimizations, vectorization, escape analysis, speculation, and deoptimization.

• Improve garbage collection barrier handling and runtime call optimization to enhance generated code efficiency.

• Drive code generation quality for x86_64 and AArch64 architectures, including adapting compiler capabilities to new hardware platforms.

• Investigate complex performance issues reported by customers, identify underlying compiler or code-generation limitations, and translate findings into practical improvements.

• Measure and validate optimization outcomes using representative workloads, profilers, hardware performance counters, and generated assembly analysis.

• Balance performance gains against compilation time, code size, correctness, and other critical compiler trade-offs.

• Review code and provide technical guidance to colleagues, strengthening implementation quality and performance engineering practices across the team.

• Mentor other engineers and promote rigorous benchmarking, testing, and performance analysis methodologies.

• Contribute improvements to upstream LLVM when appropriate, helping advance shared compiler infrastructure and optimization capabilities.

Requirements:

• At least 5 years of professional experience developing optimizing compilers or just-in-time (JIT) compilers.

• Strong C++ programming and software design skills, with experience working in large, complex codebases.

• Demonstrated success designing and delivering compiler optimizations that produce measurable performance improvements.

• Deep understanding of compiler optimization theory and its practical trade-offs, including compilation time, generated code size, runtime performance, and correctness.

• Strong performance investigation and analysis skills, including experience with profilers, hardware performance counters, benchmarking methodologies, and interpreting generated assembly.

• Ability to diagnose complex performance bottlenecks, evaluate optimization opportunities, and implement reliable improvements for production workloads.

• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention to technical detail.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with a distributed engineering team, participate in code reviews, and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.

Preferred qualifications:

• Significant experience with LLVM optimization passes or code generation; LLVM commit access is an advantage.

• Experience with JIT compilers for managed languages or runtime environments, such as HotSpot C2, Graal, V8, or .NET RyuJIT.

• Deep knowledge of x86_64 and/or AArch64 processor microarchitecture and its implications for compiler-generated code.

• Familiarity with JVM internals, including garbage collection, profiling, and deoptimization.

• A PhD in Computer Science or substantial research experience in compiler design and optimization.

Benefits:

• Remote work opportunity within India.

• Opportunity to work on a mature, production-grade JIT compiler used in enterprise environments.

• Technically challenging work focused on advanced compiler optimization, machine code generation, and processor performance.

• Collaboration with a distributed team of experienced compiler engineers and specialists.

• Opportunities to influence compiler performance strategy and contribute to meaningful improvements in real-world workloads.

• Potential to contribute to upstream LLVM development and engage with the broader compiler engineering ecosystem.

• Opportunities to mentor engineers, participate in technical reviews, and help establish strong performance engineering practices.