Systems Intern - Validation, Software, Design, Architecture & Packaging (USA)

Tenstorrent University Jobs; Austin, Santa Clara (TX, CA); On-site; USD 143,270,000 - 200,579,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenstorrent University Jobs seeks a Systems Intern in Validation, Software, Design, Architecture & Packaging. You will engage in post-silicon validation, develop firmware and drivers, and contribute to board-level system design, architecture, and packaging.

This on-site internship spans Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA with a strong emphasis on low-level programming, hardware-software integration, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Pursuing BS/MS/PhD in EE, CE, CS or ME with relevant coursework.
• Experience with embedded systems, board-level design, signal integrity or thermal/mechanical aspects.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python; familiarity with low-level programming.
• Hardware design or simulation tools experience (CAD/FEA/Verilog).

Responsibilities

• Assist in post-silicon validation and system testing on real-world workloads.
• Contribute to developing foundational software—firmware, drivers, and operating systems.
• Help map out and evaluate high-level system design and architecture; optimize power delivery.
• Design and analyze semiconductor packaging, mechanical design, and SI/PI aspects.

Skills

Embedded systems

C/C++

Python

Verilog

CAD

FEA

Education

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

Tools

CAD tools

Verilog HDL

FPGA toolchain

Job description

Systems Intern - Validation, Software, Design, Architecture & Packaging (USA)

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.

Overview: A chip isn't a product until it's a working system. These teams cover both ends of that: getting silicon to boot and validate correctly, building the board, power, mechanical, thermal, packaging and IO around it. You submit one application, you have one recruiter screen - then we match you to the specific team below and location that fits best.

• Systems & Silicon Validation: Post-silicon testing of physical chips and integrated systems to ensure they meet all functional, electrical, and performance specs.
• System Software: Development of foundational software, including firmware, drivers, and operating systems, that directly controls and interfaces with hardware.
• System Design: The process of defining, integrating, and mapping out hardware components such as PCBs, software modules, and interfaces into a complete product blueprint.
• System Architecture: Define the high-level structural framework, interfaces, and data-flow pathways between the CPU, memory, and peripherals.
• Packaging: A package is what is placed between the silicon and the board; and its design requires detailed electrical, electromagnetic, and mechanical simulations and analysis.

This role is on-site, based out of Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA.

Who You Are

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in EE, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering
• Coursework or projects in embedded systems, microwave and signal integrity, board-level design, or thermal/mechanical engineering using low-level programming (C/C++, Python) or hardware design and/or simulation tools (e.g., CAD, FEA, Verilog).
• Problem solver with strong foundational knowledge in one of these areas: electrical engineering, digital logic, computer architecture, or thermal/mechanical.
• Curious learner who is passionate about the intersection of software, silicon architecture, and the physical constraints of chip packaging and printed circuit boards (PCBs).

What We Need

• Systems & Silicon Validation: Assist in post-silicon testing of physical microchips under real-world workloads to ensure they meet all functional, electrical, and performance specifications.
• System Software: Contribute to developing foundational software—including firmware, drivers, and operating systems that directly controls and interfaces with the semiconductor hardware.
• System Design & Architecture: Help map out, define, and evaluate high-level structural frameworks, optimizing the power delivery and high-speed performance benchmarks of both the silicon components and the underlying PCBs.
• Semiconductor Packaging & Mechanical Design: Design and layout, Electromagnetic (signal integrity and power integrity), mechanical design, and stress analysis

What You Will Learn

• Hands-on silicon experience using industry-standard lab equipment to bridge the gap between theoretical hardware design, physical packaging layouts, and real-world chips.
• Low-level software development by writing production-grade firmware, device drivers, and diagnostic tools that run directly on bare metal.
• Mechanical & thermal engineering for electronics by learning how structural stress, heat dissipation, thermal expansion, and mechanical shock affect the structural integrity and performance of PCBs and packages.
• Cross-functional collaboration working alongside world-class architects, mechanical designers, package engineers, and software teams to understand how complex, large-scale chip ecosystems are built from scratch.

USA Hiring Timelines

This internship opportunity is available throughout our 3 terms with the following corresponding recruitment cycles:

• Fall Term: Sept–Dec work term, Jan–Aug recruit.

Compensation for all interns 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.

Compensation for all interns 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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Tenstorrent University Jobs’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.