PhD Research Intern, AI Accelerator Design and VLSI - 2027

InternHunt; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Intern benefits

Job summary

NVIDIA Research is seeking PhD-level interns to work at the intersection of AI hardware/software co-design, ASIC/VLSI design, and accelerator architecture in Santa Clara, CA. You will contribute to novel research, develop prototype testchips, and publish your findings in collaboration with AI researchers and hardware engineers.

The role requires pursuing a PhD in EE/CE/CS or related fields, strong Python/PyTorch skills, and experience with SystemVerilog/C++.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Accelerator Design: Contribute to novel research advancing accelerator design for AI workloads.
• VLSI: Research ASIC and VLSI design techniques and novel digital circuits; apply ML and AI methods to design tool flows.
• AI HW/SW Co-Design: Develop numeric methods for quantization, sparsity, or tensor decomposition for digital VLSI.
• Collaborate on testchips and with AI researchers and hardware teams.
• Publish and present your original research.

Skills

Python/PyTorch

SystemVerilog/C++

HLS tools

EDA tool flows

Tapeout experience

Education

PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering/CS

Tools

SystemVerilog

C++

HLS

EDA tools

Job description

PhD Research Intern, AI Accelerator Design and VLSI - 2027

2026-09-30

Role Description

NVIDIA Research is seeking PhD-level students to work as research interns at the intersection of AI HW/SW Co-Design, Hardware Accelerator Architecture, IC Design Methodology, and VLSI Design. Ideal candidates will have a broad perspective across areas including machine learning fundamentals, quantization and numerical methods for machine learning model optimization, digital VLSI circuits for computer arithmetic, high-productivity VLSI design and verification methodologies including applications of agentic AI to hardware design, AI hardware micro-architecture, and VLSI methodology and implementation.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Accelerator Design: Contribute to novel research advancing the state-of-the-art in the design of accelerators for AI and other high-impact workloads.
• VLSI: Research creative and innovative ASIC and VLSI design techniques and/or novel digital VLSI circuits. Apply machine learning, agentic AI, and state-of-the-art tools and methodologies to automated ASIC and VLSI design tool flows.
• AI HW/SW Co-Design: Research and develop creative and innovative numerical methods for quantization, sparsity, or tensor decomposition grounded in computer arithmetic fundamentals and digital VLSI circuits.
• Collaborate on the development of research prototype testchips.
• Collaborate with AI researchers and hardware team members in research and product teams.
• Plan to publish and present your original research.

What We Need To See:

• Pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Publication records in leading ML, architecture, VLSI, or circuits conferences.
• Excellent programming skills in Python/PyTorch and hardware design languages such as SystemVerilog/C++; Experience with High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools is a plus.
• VLSI Implementation Skills: Experience in hardware design with proficiency with modern EDA tool flows; Tapeout experience is a plus.
• Excellent self-motivation, a high degree of creativity, and a passion for research, collaboration skills, and the ability to work effectively within a research team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven experience communicating technical work (e.g., academic presentations, poster sessions); ability to synthesize and explain complex technical concepts.

Widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers, NVIDIA has some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world inventing the future for us. Are you a creative and collaborative researcher interested in seeking new challenges? If so, we want to hear from you!

Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay based on the position, your location, year in school, degree, and experience. The hourly rate for our interns is 38 USD - 94 USD.

You will also be eligible for Intern benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until October 3, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.