The MSc Programme in HPC Engineering trains professionals with strong technical and scientific skills, capable of designing high-performance and quantum computing solutions and managing advanced computational systems.
Thanks to its interdisciplinary approach, the programme also prepares you to work in strategic sectors such as aerospace, bioinformatics, energy, computational finance, environmental sustainability, pharmacology, and materials science. In these fields, the ability to harness computational power to analyse large datasets, simulate complex phenomena, and solve numerical models at real-world scale is a key factor for innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness
The flexible structure of the study plan – which combines mandatory and elective courses – allows you to build a personalised profile according to your interests, deepening both methodological and applied skills in several directions, including:
- numerical modelling and physical simulation
- design and optimisation of parallel algorithms
- management of complex systems and distributed infrastructures
- high-performance computing architectures
- development and applications of quantum computing
- application of data science, machine learning, and deep learning methods to scientific computing
Main areas of specialisation
The programme trains professionals in four main areas of specialization, in line with the evolution of the European High Performance Computing (HPC) landscape. Skills in Parallel Computing & Programming represent the technical core common to all specializations, as they enable the development, optimization, and scaling of applications on parallel, heterogeneous, and distributed systems
Numerical methods for science domains
This area combines competences in scientific computing and data-driven simulation, integrating numerical methods, computational physics and data analysis tools to tackle complex problems in scientific and industrial domains.
It includes competences in:
- large-scale physical and mathematical simulations;
- High Performance Data Analytics (HPDA);
- integration between numerical and data-driven models.
Related profiles: HPC Software Engineer, Data-driven Simulation Specialist, HPC Application Scientist.
Quantum Computing for HPC
This area focuses on the integration between quantum and high-performance computing, addressing how quantum architectures can collaborate with classical systems.
It includes competences in:
- quantum algorithms and hybrid QC–HPC models;
- simulation of quantum systems on classical architectures;
- development of software and middleware for quantum computing.
Related profiles: Quantum Computing Developer, Quantum Computer Architect.
Artificial Intelligence and HPC
This area explores the synergy between High Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence, leveraging parallel computing power to accelerate learning processes, simulations and large-scale data management.
It includes competences in:
- machine learning, deep learning, and large language models (LLMs);
- acceleration of AI models on HPC infrastructures;
- development of AI-driven solutions for scientific simulation.
Related profiles: HPC Software Engineer, AI for Simulation Specialist.
HPC System Architecture
This area focuses on the design, configuration and optimization of high-performance computing systems, from hardware architectures to system software aimed at maximizing efficiency.
It includes competences in:
- operating systems, virtualization, and containerization;
- parallel architectures and heterogeneous multi-core and many-core systems;
- hardware accelerators (GPU, FPGA, ASIC) and performance optimization techniques;
Related profiles: System Architect, Cloud & Infrastructure Engineer, Performance Analyst and Advisor.
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
With the Master's Degree, you can access doctoral (PhD) programmes, second-level masters, and industrial research initiatives, making this Study Programme a launchpad for advanced careers in computational science, artificial intelligence, scientific software, and emerging information technologies such as quantum computing.
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.
Morover, the Master's Degree in High Performance Computing Engineering grants access – upon passing a State examination – to the Information Engineering section (Section A) of the National Register of Engineers, with the professional title of Engineer.
Career Service
The university supports and facilitates students' transition into the job market through the Career Service, our dedicated structure for managing relationships with companies. The Career Service organises recruiting events (such as Career Days), thematic workshops, and other initiatives. It also provides a digital platform where students can browse job and internship offers and manage their applications. A wide range of additional services is available: support in the search for internships and job opportunities, one-to-one career counselling, mock interviews and guidance activities, as well as training materials, video courses, and information on the labour market.
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