Domain
Compilers & Languages
Skill Profile
LLVM: IR, passes, backend code generation, Clang, MLIR
Roles
2
where this skill appears
Levels
5
structured growth path
Mandatory requirements
5
the other 5 optional
Compilers & Languages
Compiler Tools
3/17/2026
Choose your current level and compare expectations. The items below show what to cover to advance to the next level.
The table shows how skill depth grows from Junior to Principal. Click a row to see details.
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler Engineer | Required | Knows LLVM architecture: frontend, IR, backend, and the role of each component. Understands LLVM IR structure and basic instructions. Can compile C through clang and study generated IR. |
| Systems Programmer (C/C++) | Gets familiar with LLVM framework: understands architecture (frontend, IR, backend). Studies LLVM IR on simple examples, builds project with Clang under mentor guidance. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler Engineer | Required | Writes LLVM Analysis and Transform passes using C++ API. Generates LLVM IR programmatically for simple constructs. Uses opt and llvm-dis for pipeline analysis and debugging. |
| Systems Programmer (C/C++) | Works with LLVM: writes simple LLVM passes for code analysis, uses Clang sanitizers, understands opt pipeline. Applies LLVM for code generation from custom DSL. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler Engineer | Required | Develops custom LLVM backend or target lowering for a non-standard architecture. Optimizes LLVM pipeline for specific workloads. Writes target-specific instruction selection patterns. |
| Systems Programmer (C/C++) | Designs custom LLVM passes for system code optimization. Develops backend for new target, integrates custom analysis passes into CI for automated bug detection. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler Engineer | Required | Leads LLVM integration in the team's compiler project. Makes architectural decisions about LLVM version and custom passes strategy. Evaluates trade-offs of LLVM vs QBE vs MLIR. |
| Systems Programmer (C/C++) | Defines LLVM usage strategy in systems development. Establishes custom toolchain based on LLVM/Clang, manages language tools and static analyzer development. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler Engineer | Required | Defines LLVM/MLIR usage strategy for the entire compiler platform. Coordinates contributions to upstream LLVM community. Researches MLIR application for domain-specific optimizations. |
| Systems Programmer (C/C++) | Shapes enterprise LLVM strategy for the organization. Defines approaches to custom compiler infrastructure, mentors architects on LLVM backend development and language tooling. |