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HPC Engineering

Career Opportunities

The MSc Programme in HPC Engineering trains professionals with strong technical and scientific skills, capable of designing high-performance computing solutions and managing advanced computational systems.

You will be able to operate in strategic areas such as aerospace, bioinformatics, energy, computational finance, environmental sustainability, pharmacology and materials science. In these sectors, the ability to exploit computing power to analyse large amounts of data and solve complex numerical models on a real scale is a determining factor for innovation, efficiency and competitiveness.

The flexible structure of the study plan – which combines core courses and elective activities – allows you to build a personalised profile based on your interests, deepening both methodological and applied skills in multiple directions: from the mathematical modelling of phenomena to algorithm design, from code optimisation for parallel architectures to the management of complex computing infrastructures, and the integration with data science, machine learning, and deep learning methods.

Professional Profiles

Among the main areas of specialisation, the following professional profiles can be identified as examples

  • HPC Software Engineer: focuses on the design, development, and optimisation of scientific software on parallel architectures (multicore CPUs, GPUs, heterogeneous accelerators). Able to implement efficient algorithms, manage the complexity of the HPC software lifecycle, and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
  • HPC Hardware Engineer: designs and develops new components for digital systems and customised hardware–software co-design solutions for HPC applications.
  • Data-driven Simulation Specialist: combines expertise in numerical methods with machine learning tools to develop hybrid models capable of simulating, predicting, and analysing complex physical phenomena. This profile is increasingly in demand in fields where data is integrated into simulation processes (e.g. digital twins, industrial optimisation, predictive environments).
  • Quantum Computing Developer: an expert in programming and modelling on quantum architectures. Has a solid understanding of quantum mechanics principles and key quantum algorithms, and is capable of designing innovative solutions for computational problems that are hard to solve using traditional approaches
  • Quantum Computer Architect: an expert in the design and management of quantum computing systems. Understands the operating principles of quantum computers and is involved in the development of firmware and middleware required for the proper functioning of quantum systems.
  • Cloud & Infrastructure Engineer: designs, configures, and manages distributed environments and cloud infrastructures for running high-performance workloads. Capable of orchestrating computational resources across data centres and HPC clusters, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and reliability of applications.
  • HPC Application Scientist: applies HPC expertise to multidisciplinary scientific and industrial contexts: biology, medicine, pharmacology, climatology, energy, computational finance, and many other application domains. Works in close collaboration with domain experts to model complex problems and develop large-scale numerical simulations.

Each of these profiles reflects the interdisciplinary and application-oriented nature of the Study Programme, which is built through a combination of core courses, elective subjects, laboratory activities, project work, and the Master’s thesis.

Employment Sectors

The professional profiles in HPC Engineering have broad applications in the job market, both in Italy and internationally. HPC is a rapidly growing field, playing a strategic role in the digital and scientific transformation across many sectors, with an increasing demand for qualified professionals from:

  • Supercomputing Centres
  • Research Centres
  • Academia
  • Global technology companies developing hardware and software for HPC
  • Quantum computing companies involved in the development of quantum hardware and software
  • Pharmaceutical and bioinformatics companies using HPC for large-scale modelling and analysis of molecular and genomic data, in-silico experiments, and the development of new drugs
  • Advanced engineering sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, and energy, where numerical simulation is central to technological innovation processes
  • Companies that use HPC to design, test, and optimise complex systems virtually, reducing development time and costs
  • Fintech and finance companies using HPC to develop stochastic models, perform predictive analytics, and manage large volumes of real-time financial data to support strategic and operational decision-making
  • Public institutions and research centres involved in complex multidisciplinary projects with a strong computational component
  • Deep-tech startups and emerging companies, active in areas such as quantum computing or AI-based simulation (often born as university spin-offs or from academic research contexts) offer fertile ground for the advanced application of HPC skills and frontier innovation

Other Opportunities

The Master's Degree in HPC Engineering grants access – upon passing a national licensing exam – to the Information Engineering category of Section A of the National Register of Engineers (Albo degli Ingegneri), with the professional title of Ingegnere (Engineer)

You can also access PhD programmes, second-level master's degrees, and industrial research initiatives, making this Study Programme a launchpad for advanced careers in computational science, artificial intelligence, scientific software, and emerging information technologies

A PhD programme, which lasts three years, is the main pathway if you wish to pursue a scientific career, whether in academia or in industry. It involves advanced research activities, participation in projects (often international), specialised training, and the development of scientific communication skills, culminating in the writing of a thesis that summarises the results achieved.

Alternatively, you can take up temporary research contracts, which may allow you, for instance, to continue work started during your thesis or to gain research experience while waiting to begin a PhD.

The university offers a structured job placement support service through the Career Service, which manages relations with companies, organises recruitment events (such as Career Days), and provides a digital platform for browsing job offers and managing applications.