Research Staff Member: Neuromorphic Compute

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

You will be part of a world class research team developing the building blocks of future storage systems, sensors, and AI hardware. The team is exploring a diverse range of enabling technologies based on magnetic tunnel junctions, resistive RAM, and selectors, and determining the architectures needed to incorporate these components to make compelling products.

The key responsibility of the role is to provide guidance for future research directions, and create demonstration prototypes supporting the continuation of these initiatives. For this position we are particularly in the neuromorphic compute applications: the use of non-volatile memories (NVM) as synthetic neurons in deep-learning applications. Design proposals should reflect the company’s strategic goals in creating new AI or memory systems, and be based on surveys of academic literature, the needs of our university partners or internal stakeholders.  From there you will work with the team to establish architectural specifications for each prototype, implement and validate your electronics designs through the statistical evaluation of candidate NVM material stacks, modelling of the efficacy of each material as it impacts inference or training accuracy, and the creation of FPGA-based PCB designs.  Once the proposed system has been realized you will test and evaluate your AI systems in the lab, issue recommendations for future studies or prototypes, and publish any significant findings in academic journals.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Proven track record in neuromorphic computing research, with a strong publication history in relevant scientific journals and conferences
• Advanced knowledge of neuromorphic computing principles and brain-inspired computing architectures
• Experience in NVM device characterization, with a particular emphasis on creating functional neuromorphic systems.
• Expertise in artificial neural networks and machine learning algorithms, particularly those involving quantization-aware training (QAT), Activation-aware Weight Quantization (AWQ), and noise aware training. 
• Expertise in modelling NVM device defects and their impact on system-level AI inference and training using tools such as NeuroSim, or any other customized AI framework (e.g. customizations of publicaly available PyTorch/Huggingface models)
• Strong statistical skills, including the ability to generate a device noise model from laboratory data, combined with a proposed system architecture. 
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and C
• Experience with hardware description languages (e.g., VHDL, Verilog)
• Experience with common FPGA tool chains, and related systems for embedded firmware development (e.g, AMD Vivado FPGA design tools with the PYNQ firmware framework).
• Demonstrated ability in designing and implementing neuromorphic systems, with a particular emphasis on bringing up novel and complex laboratory systems.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills for modeling complex systems
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Familiarity with cognitive neuroscience principles is preferred

Starting job-Level and compensation may vary depending on the breadth of the candidate experience and the number of years of post-graduate work experience.   

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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