Also called: Programming Language Engineer, Toolchain Engineer
Builds the software that translates human-written code into instructions a chip can actually run.
You study why a program runs 3% slower on a new chip, then rewrite part of the compiler to squeeze out the speed. It is puzzle-like work full of math, assembly language, and benchmarks, and AI chip companies are hungry for it.
Niche specialty; pay is high because few people have the skills.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in CS required; many have a master's or PhD in compilers or programming languages.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics.
Growing much faster than average. No separate BLS projection; demand is strong at chip and AI-accelerator companies.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps write optimizations, but compilers for new AI chips need deep experts; demand is rising with custom hardware.
Classes: AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus, AP Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1252.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.