Memory Architect

Normalcomputing; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Normal Computing, an applied AI company, is building revolutionary Thermo In-Memory computing and seeks a senior Memory Architect in Mountain View to translate concepts into silicon. You will own the memory architecture, design memory arrays and interconnects, and collaborate with engineers to deliver 100–1000× AI inference performance improvements.

This role reports to the Silicon Engineering Director and offers the chance to shape next-gen memory tech.

Qualifications

• Experience in memory architecture or memory-centric compute is required.
• Strong understanding of memory array physics, sensing, and reliability.
• Hands-on experience with embedded RAM technology and PDKs, tapeout preferred.
• Proficiency in RTL and SystemVerilog for dataflow modeling.
• Experience with multiple memory interfaces and controller timing.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture for in-memory processing and memory floorplanning.
• Design local/global datapaths and interconnects for memory and logic.
• Own power, thermal, and reliability budgets to maximize performance.
• Coordinate with fabrication teams on PDKs and tapeout plans.
• Collaborate with analog/design teams on memory primitives.

Skills

Memory architecture

Circuit design

Memory array physics

PDK/tapeout experience

RTL/SystemVerilog

Programming (Python/C/C++)

Memory interfaces

Communication skills

Tools

SPICE

SystemVerilog

Python

C/C++

Job description

NORMAL COMPUTING | BUILD WITH US

Normal is an applied AI company solving the hardest problems in AI and silicon. We build foundational hardware and software for the semiconductor industry, critical AI infrastructure, and the broader systems that power our world, in partnership with the world's most advanced institutions. We work as one team across New York City, Silicon Valley (Mountain View), London, Copenhagen, and Seoul.

The Role

Normal is building AI inference hardware based on our revolutionary new Thermo In-Memory Computing architecture and as Memory Architect you will lead the translation of these concepts from theory into silicon. You will have free rein to completely reimagine each element of a conventional memory; from the design and layout read/write paths, organization of memory arrays, to the development of a microarchitecture which seamlessly interleaves core memory operations with high performance compute. Ultimately, you will be responsible for delivering 100-1000× improvements in performance in AI inference. You will report to the Director of Silicon Engineering and partner with scientists, microarchitects, physical design, and analog design engineers to implement a new standard cell library which combines existing digital compute primitives with Normal’s ThermoDRAM compute primitives. You will translate these new compute primitives into a highly performant Compute In-Memory System. You will own the technical relationship with major manufacturers from PDK acquisition through tapeout of test chips and production silicon. This role requires a seasoned engineer with prior experience in memory technology but who understands that radical performance improvements require radical paradigm shifts.

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

• Architecture for Processing-In-Memory: Define the memory requirements and floorplan that enable in-memory compute capability. This includes not only read/write paths to ALUs but also novel memory primitives. Specify the read/write circuitry row/column decoders that enable novel memory and in-memory compute operations.
• Internal Bandwidth and Data Movement: Architect the local and global datapaths, segmented buses and on-die fabrics that move data between memory arrays and logic.
• Power Grid and Reliability: Own power distribution, power budgets, thermal limits, redundancy, and ECC so that peak memory and compute performance can be extracted from the system without damaging retention or yield
• PDK and Fab Path: Own access to process design kits and design rules and assess the limits and potential of architectural modifications which can be supported by existing design rules. Drive tapeout plan starting with an upcoming shuttle through test-chip content, schedule, and bring-up.
• Primitive Device Library: Partner with our analog engineers who build and characterize the primitive device library (write circuits, drivers, multiplexers). Set requirements and ensure design choices drive architectural performance considerations.
• Memory Interfaces: Define how our custom memory product interfaces to external hosts including SERDES, PCIE, Ethernet, DDR5, LP6, or HBM-class interfaces, command-set extensions, and controller/timing implications that impact performance.
• Modeling and Validation: Oversee development of SPICE, analytical, and cycle-level models of performance, power, and yield. Partner with performance and machine learning engineers to ensure projected PPA improvements translate into workload level gains.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT

• Substantial experience in memory architecture or circuit design at a memory manufacturer or a memory-centric compute company.
• Deep understanding of memory array physics: 1T/3T/6T/8T SRAM cells, DRAM bitcells, capacitance, sensing, read/write operations, core timing, retention, and reliability
• Hands-on experience with embedded memory or random access memory technology and PDKs with experience developing memory test chips through tapeout
• Fluency moving between Spice-level circuit behavior through architecture-level performance and power models with strong fundamentals in one or more programming language (e.g. Python, C, C++) for modeling and performance prediction
• Experience in RTL and SystemVerilog to model and optimize dataflow and specify compute block requirements
• Experience with different interface types including memory interfaces
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills

BONUS POINTS

• Experience with process-in-memory or near-memory compute
• Experience with non-volatile memory technology
• Experience with DRAM technology including eDRAM
• Major publications at ISSCC, VLSI, IEDM, ISCA or other major conferences
• Existing relationships with manufacturers

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Normal Computing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility Accommodations

Normal Computing is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

Privacy Notice

By submitting your application, you agree that Normal Computing may collect, use, and store your personal information for employment-related purposes in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice https://normalcomputing.com/applicant-privacy-notice.