Staff Software Engineer

Staff Software Engineer Overview

This position sits within Arm’s GPU compute driver organization, where the team builds the software layer that supports widely used GPU compute and machine learning interfaces. The work focuses on enabling massively parallel processing on Arm Mali GPUs, which are used for demanding tasks such as machine learning, image processing, computer vision, and video encoding and decoding. Because the software must operate within the limits of mobile and embedded platforms, the team balances advanced capability with ongoing improvements in speed, efficiency, and reliability.

The role is part of a collaborative Agile group working on compute drivers for the next generation of Mali GPUs. The team works with pre-release Android platforms and emerging technologies, helping to define capabilities that will later appear in the mobile market. Arm also highlights its use of modern AI-based information retrieval tools and advanced engineering practices to improve both productivity and quality, giving the successful candidate exposure to contemporary software development methods. The role is based in Cambridge, within a diverse and inclusive environment in one of the UK’s major technology centres.

What you will do

• Contribute to specialist areas within the GPU compute driver team, which may include feature development, performance work, infrastructure improvements, or quality engineering.
• Help introduce new GPU capabilities and improve support for machine learning and compute workloads that place heavy demands on the software stack.
• Work through the complete software lifecycle, including design, coding, testing, review, and documentation.
• Build and refine driver features as well as the supporting infrastructure around them.
• Study how the software behaves and performs across a variety of demanding workloads, then use that insight to improve functionality and efficiency.
• Strengthen the codebase through debugging, refactoring, and quality-focused engineering work.
• Participate in technical design discussions, peer code reviews, effort estimation, and Agile planning sessions.
• Collaborate with compiler, machine learning, integration, and solutions teams on cross-functional projects.
• Develop and validate software in Linux-based environments using Arm targets such as models, FPGAs, and production silicon.
• Use AI-assisted engineering tools and modern development practices to improve output quality and team productivity.
• Work in line with Arm’s engineering standards and contribute positively to its collaborative culture.
• Help shape technologies that are expected to reach millions of devices worldwide.

Skills and experience needed

• Strong practical ability in C and C++ for systems programming.
• Solid understanding of embedded systems and the relationship between software and hardware.
• Ability to apply disciplined software engineering methods in a hardware-aware environment.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, with a methodical and analytical mindset.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work well with others in an Agile setting.
• Fluent written and spoken English suitable for an international engineering team.
• Experience with graphics or compute APIs such as Vulkan or OpenCL would be an advantage.
• Experience developing device drivers, especially for GPUs or similarly performance-critical systems, would be helpful.
• Exposure to machine learning workloads where performance is important would be beneficial.
• Experience writing design documentation and creating automated test suites would be useful.
• Ability to script and automate using Python or Bash would be an advantage.
• Experience building software for Linux or Android would be helpful.
• Familiarity with Git, issue tracking systems, and Agile working methods would be beneficial.
• Experience working on large software projects or across multiple sites would be useful.
• Knowledge of performance tuning, profiling, and instrumentation would be an advantage.
• Understanding of compiler internals, especially LLVM, would be helpful.
• Experience with automation and DevOps tooling such as Docker and CI/CD pipelines would be beneficial.
• Ability to analyse data and use statistics to evaluate performance would be useful.

Working environment and team context

The role is based in Cambridge, and Arm describes the team as collaborative, inclusive, and forward-looking. The work is done in a Linux environment on Arm-based targets, and the team uses Agile ways of working. Arm also notes that the role involves working with pre-release Android platforms and emerging technologies, so the successful candidate will be contributing to software that is still evolving before it reaches the market.

Arm’s hybrid working model is intended to support both high performance and personal wellbeing. The company brings people together face to face to work at pace, while also allowing flexibility. Each team decides its own hybrid pattern based on the needs of the work, and the exact arrangement for this role will be explained during the application process. Arm also notes that flexibility may be affected by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other constraints, and that the company will work with candidates to find the best possible arrangement where needed.

Compensation, support, and other details

• Salary range: £97,300 to £131,700 per year.
• No relocation package is available for this role.
• If skilled worker sponsorship is required, Arm will pay the employer-side sponsorship costs.
• The candidate is responsible for all personal immigration costs, including the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Arm provides recruitment accommodations for candidates who need adjustments during the hiring process; requests can be made by email and are handled confidentially.
• Examples of support include extra time between interviews, documents being read aloud, or help with office accessibility.
• Arm presents its broader benefits around health and wellness, work-life success, financial rewards, and development/support.

Equal opportunities

Arm states that it is an equal opportunity employer and aims to provide a respectful environment where applicants and employees are treated fairly. The company says it does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

How to apply

Applicants can submit their application through Arm’s careers site for this role. The page also includes a route to save the job, view the location, and access Arm’s hiring process information. Candidates who need adjustments during recruitment are invited to contact Arm by email for accommodation support.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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