Build System, CI, & Infrastructure Engineer

About Recogni

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world. It can perform cognitive functions that previously only humans could do, such as perceiving interactions across different environments with the ability to quickly learn and then solve complex problems. Recogni is a system solution company that specializes in the design of industry-leading high-performance, low-power AI inferencing. Our mission is to enable multimodal Generative AI inference acceleration at scale by providing safe, sustainable, high-performance AI-driven solutions for many markets. We are at the leading edge of advancing the latest research and product improvements for Al inference solutions that will make Al even more advantageous for compelling new applications. Recogni is a well funded, fast-paced startup company with headquarters in both San Jose, CA, and Munich, Germany. We also have many talented team members working remotely. We prioritize our employees' well-being and their families, aiming for a healthier, happier life inside and outside work. We value their contributions and offer tailored benefits for health and financial security, catering to different life stages. Our comprehensive benefits and competitive compensation, including flexible spending and Bonusly awards, reflect our commitment to a supportive and inspiring work environment.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a mid-level (Level 5) Build System, CI, & Infrastructure Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining build systems and continuous integration pipelines. You will collaborate closely with software, systems, and ASIC teams to streamline development workflows, optimize build times, and ensure robust product deployment. This position requires someone who can hit the ground running and quickly contribute to our infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities 

• Build System & Integration 
  • Develop, maintain, and optimize build pipelines using Makefiles, CMake, and other relevant build tools. 
  • Integrate various package management systems (apt, pacman, raw source builds) within our development workflow. 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration of new features and releases. 
• Containerization & Deployment 
  • Create and manage Docker containers, Dockerfiles, and Docker Compose configurations for development and production environments. 
  • Troubleshoot and resolve container and deployment-related issues quickly and efficiently. 
• Toolchain & Compilation 
  • Leverage deep knowledge of compilation and linking processes (gcc/clang/ld), as well as libraries (stdlib, libc). 
  • Oversee static, shared, and header-only linking strategies to ensure compatibility and performance. 
• Version Control & Code Management 
  • Utilize Git effectively, including submodule management, forking strategies, and branching models. 
  • Maintain repository hygiene and support the development team in version control best practices. 
• Automation & Scripting 
  • Author and maintain advanced Makefiles to handle complex build scenarios. 
  • Develop Bash scripts to automate repetitive tasks, configure environments, and manage pipelines. 
  • Use Python for scripting, tooling, and integration with external libraries (pip, virtual environments, binding). 
• Continuous Integration (CI) 
  • Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines that ensure quick feedback and high-quality releases. 
  • Integrate automated testing, code quality checks, and security scanning into the CI process. 
• Collaboration & Communication 
  • Partner with software and ASIC engineers to gather requirements and refine build and CI workflows. 
  • Participate in code reviews, brainstorming sessions, and technical discussions. 

Required Qualifications 

• Proven experience (3+ years) in a similar Build/CI role. 
• Linux & Package Management: Proficient with apt, pacman, and manual build flows (./configure && make install). 
• Containerization: Hands-on experience with Docker (Dockerfiles, Compose). 
• Compilation & Linking: Solid understanding of gcc/clang/ld, stdlib, libc, and different linking strategies (static, shared, header-only). 
• Version Control (Git): Ability to use submodules effectively, manage forks, and handle branching strategies. 
• Build Systems: Strong experience with Makefiles and CMake—authoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing. 
• Scripting (Bash): Advanced knowledge of Bash scripting, environment variables, and pipeline usage. 
• CI Pipelines: Familiar with setting up and maintaining automated pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI, etc.). 
• Python & Ecosystem: Competent in Python scripting, package management with pip, virtual environments, and integrating Python tools. 
• Nice-to-Have Skills 
  • Familiarity with Conan for C/C++ package management. 
  • Experience with Lua and Luarocks. 
  • Exposure to Rust and its crate ecosystem. 
  • Knowledge of alternative build systems (e.g., Meson, Bazel, Buck2). 
  • Experience with Node.js and npm for front-end or tooling tasks.
• Soft Skills
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, enabling you to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • A passion for continuous learning, improvement, and sharing knowledge with peers. 

Recogni's culture was built on the following values:

• Put people first. We only succeed when our people succeed.
• Ethics and integrity always; Being open, honest, and respectful of everyone.
• Think Big. Be ambitious and have audacious goals.
• Aim for excellence. Quality and excellence count in everything we do.
• Own it and get it done. Results matter!
• Make each person better together, than they would be as an individual.
• Embrace each others’ differences, and embrace that there will be differences.

Recogni is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse team is better at tackling complex problems and coming up with innovative solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, race, religion, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.