Physical Design Intern - CPU/AI Hardware

Tenstorrent; Austin (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenstorrent, a leader in AI hardware, seeks a Physical Design Intern onsite in Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA. You will assist synthesis, floorplanning, PnR, and timing closure while learning end-to-end PD flows from RTL handoff to tapeout.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a BS/MS/PhD in EE/ECE/CE/CS with VLSI, logic design, and transistor-level knowledge; scripting in Python/Tcl/Perl is a plus for rapid RTL experiments.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in EE, ECE, CE, or CS
• Solid understanding of logic design, VLSI, and transistor-level concepts
• Familiar with PnR tools, timing analysis, and power optimization techniques
• Comfortable scripting in Tcl, Perl, Shell, or Python

Responsibilities

• Support key physical design tasks—synthesis, floorplanning, PnR, clocking, timing closure
• Analyze and improve design PPA (Power, Performance, Area)
• Collaborate with front-end, PD, and architecture teams to influence early design decisions
• Explore and implement new flows, tools, or RTL experiments to optimize designs

Skills

Logic design

VLSI

Transistor-level concepts

Scripting (Python)

Scripting (Tcl, Perl, Shell)

Digital design

Education

BS/MS/PhD in EE/ECE/CE/CS

Tools

PnR tools

Timing analysis tools

Power optimization techniques

Job description

Tenstorrent is leading the industry on cutting-edge AI technology, revolutionizing performance expectations, ease of use, and cost efficiency. With AI redefining the computing paradigm, solutions must evolve to unify innovations in software models, compilers, platforms, networking, and semiconductors. Our diverse team of technologists have developed a high performance RISC-V CPU from scratch, and share a passion for AI and a deep desire to build the best AI platform possible. We value collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to solving hard problems. We are growing our team and looking for contributors of all seniorities.

Join a team shaping the performance of next-gen CPUs and AI/ML chips. As a Physical Design Intern, you'll work hands-on from synthesis through tapeout, collaborating with top engineers to optimize some of the most advanced silicon in the world.

This role is onsite, based out of Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA.

Who You Are

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in EE, ECE, CE, or CS
• Solid understanding of logic design, VLSI, and transistor-level concepts
• Familiar with PnR tools, timing analysis, and power optimization techniques
• Comfortable scripting in Tcl, Perl, Shell, or Python
  
  

What We Need

• Support key physical design tasks—synthesis, floorplanning, PnR, clocking, timing closure
• Analyze and improve design PPA (Power, Performance, Area)
• Collaborate with front-end, PD, and architecture teams to influence early design decisions
• Explore and implement new flows, tools, or RTL experiments to optimize designs
  
  

What You Will Learn

• End-to-end physical design flow—from RTL handoff to final tapeout
• Deep dive into timing, power, EM/IR, and area trade-offs
• Industry-standard tools and techniques for modern chip development
• How top-tier silicon teams operate at scale
  
  

Compensation for all engineers at Tenstorrent ranges from $50/hr - 70/hr including base and variable compensation targets. Experience, skills, education, background and location all impact the actual offer made.

Tenstorrent offers a highly competitive compensation package and benefits, and we are an equal opportunity employer.

This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicant being eligible to access U.S. export-controlled technology. Due to U.S. export laws, including those codified in the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Company is required to ensure compliance with these laws when transferring technology to nationals of certain countries (such as EAR Country Groups D:1, E1, and E2). These requirements apply to persons located in the U.S. and all countries outside the U.S. As the position offered will have direct and/or indirect access to information, systems, or technologies subject to these laws, the offer may be contingent upon your citizenship/permanent residency status or ability to obtain prior license approval from the U.S. Commerce Department or applicable federal agency. If employment is not possible due to U.S. export laws, any offer of employment will be rescinded.