Software Engineer / Software Engineeress

Join the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS)

The Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) is at the forefront of high-performance computing and data research infrastructure, supporting world-class scientific endeavors in Switzerland. Our user laboratory is accessible to researchers from academia, industry, and the business sector, both domestically and internationally. Managed by ETH Zurich, we have offices located in Lugano and Zurich.

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated software engineer to work at the intersection of machine learning and high-performance computing. You will tackle complex, open-ended challenges to deliver scalable solutions. This role involves designing and optimizing a software-defined infrastructure that supports advanced AI/ML projects in a high-performance, data-intensive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with researchers and users to understand and solve complex, real-world problems.
• Contribute to AI/ML projects, including large language model training, inference, fine-tuning, and HPC-accelerated workflows.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize software and systems, from core libraries programming to scripting and automation.
• Take ownership of high-impact tasks and see them through to completion while maintaining effective communication with stakeholders.
• Engage with ill-defined problems, explore solutions, and learn throughout the process.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome engineers with diverse backgrounds who are eager to make a meaningful contribution. While strong technical foundations, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to bridge gaps across domains are essential, we value curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn on the job over an initial perfect match of technical skills.

Technical Environment and Areas of Interest

Our technology stack covers a wide range of interests. Experience in some of the following areas is expected:

• Large-scale parallel and distributed systems, including performance tuning
• Programming and tooling: C/C++, Python, CUDA, OpenMP, and Spack
• Linux-based systems, scripting, Slurm, and general systems engineering
• Containerized and Kubernetes-based service deployment and operations
• Large-scale machine learning and LLM workflows (e.g., PyTorch, Megatron)
• Storage and data systems (e.g., Lustre, NFS, VAST)
• Collective communication and high-speed networking (e.g., NCCL, RCCL, MPI)
• Monitoring and observability (e.g., DCGM, LDMS)
• Testing frameworks, software quality practices, and DevOps/GitOps approaches

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated, proactive, focused, and collaborative
• Strong problem-solving mindset and comfort tackling complex or ambiguous challenges
• Clear communicator with a strong understanding of user needs
• Open to learning new technologies and working across disciplines
• Comfortable asking for help and engaging with the right expertise when needed

Working Environment

Our team thrives in collaborative, self-organizing environments based on Agile principles. Experience with structured development practices, such as test-driven development, is a plus.

Core Values

• Curiosity: A passion for learning and exploring new ideas.
• Openness: Encouraging collaboration and diverse perspectives.
• Courage: Tackling challenging or ambiguous problems and taking initiative.
• Supportive: Contributing to a positive team culture and helping colleagues succeed.
• Integrity: Upholding honesty, ethics, and reliability in all work.

Why Join Us

Be a part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development but also actively contributes to positive societal change. You can expect numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare options, and appealing pension benefits. Enjoy a vibrant working environment characterized by cultural diversity and attractive offers.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive engineering team and encourage applications from underrepresented groups in tech, particularly women. If you are proficient, curious, and eager to grow, we want to hear from you.

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.