Compiler Performance Engineer

As the only company focused 100% on Java, Azul is building the Java platform for the modern cloud enterprise. We are reimagining how customers use Java, bringing them the tools and insight they need to deliver faster, more performant, more dependable, and less expensive Java services. Come join one of the most influential members of the Java and OpenJDK community and help influence the future of Java.

Falcon is the optimizing just in time (JIT) compiler in Azul Platform Prime. It compiles hot Java bytecode into highly optimized machine code and delivers Java performance that standard JVMs do not reach. Falcon is built on LLVM.

We are looking for a Compiler Performance Engineer to make Falcon generate even faster code. This is not a compiler front end role and not a compiler built from scratch: the compiler exists, runs in production at large enterprises, and your job is to find where the generated code is slower than it should be and fix it in the optimizer and code generator.

You will join a distributed team of compiler experts and work on real workloads with direct, measurable impact on customer performance.

What You Will Do

Analyze performance of Java benchmarks and customer workloads, find gaps in generated code and trace them to their root cause in the compiler

Implement and improve optimizations in Falcon's middle end and back end: inlining, loop optimizations, vectorization, redundancy elimination, speculative optimizations and their interaction with the runtime

Improve code generation for x86_64 and AArch64

Write tests and benchmarks that prove the improvement and protect it from regressions

Contribute changes upstream to LLVM where it makes sense

Minimum Requirements

2+ years of professional experience in compilers, JIT compilers or low level performance engineering

Strong C++ design and coding skills

Solid understanding of compiler optimization theory: SSA, data flow analysis, loop transformations

Ability to read assembly and reason about why one instruction sequence is faster than another

Nice to Have

Experience with LLVM IR and LLVM optimization passes, or with another optimizing compiler such as HotSpot C2, Graal, GCC or V8

Experience with profilers such as perf, VTune or async profiler

Knowledge of x86_64 and/or AArch64 microarchitecture

Experience with Java, Scala or Kotlin, or with JVM internals

MSc or PhD in Computer Science with a compiler or performance focus

What We Offer

Opportunity to make a high impact at a growing, global company

Work alongside top experts worldwide contributing to the Java ecosystem

Referral Program — help us grow with great people

Premium IT equipment — MacBook Pro or hardware of your choice

Competitive paid holidays and sick time

Flexible working hours

Remote first OR Prague / Limassol / Belgrade city center offices OR hybrid - UP TO YOU!

Competitive compensation

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.