CPU/AI/SOC Physical Design Lead at Tenstorrent

Austin, Texas, United States

Tenstorrent Logo
$100,000 – $500,000Compensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Semiconductors, Artificial IntelligenceIndustries

Requirements

  • BS/MS/PhD in EE/ECE/CE/CS
  • Minimum BS and 10+ years of experience in Physical Design
  • Hands-on experience with synthesis, block and chip level implementation using industry-standard PnR flows and tools
  • Strong experience in SOC/ASIC/GPU/CPU design flows on taped-out designs
  • Expertise in timing closure at block/chip levels and ECO flows
  • Experience with back-end design tools such as Primetime, Innovus, RedHawk, etc
  • Strong understanding of logic design fundamentals and gate/transistor level implementation
  • Knowledge of low-power design flows (power gating, multi-Vt, voltage scaling)
  • Understanding of deep sub-micron design problems and solutions

Responsibilities

  • Define PD requirements by working closely with the front-end team, understanding the chip architecture, and driving physical aspects early in the design cycle
  • Perform physical design tasks including: Synthesis, Place and Route (PnR), Timing Closure, Area Improvement, Floorplanning, Clocking, I/O Planning, Power Optimization
  • Conduct discussions with 3rd party IP providers, foundry partners, and design services
  • Manage end-to-end tasks from flow development to sign-off
  • Deploy innovative techniques for improving power, performance, and area of the design; drive experiments with RTL and evaluate synthesis, timing, and power results

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

SynthesisPlace and RouteTiming ClosurePrimetimeInnovusRedHawkECOFloorplanningClockingI/O PlanningPower OptimizationSOC DesignASIC DesignLow Power Design

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for this position?

The salary range is $100k - $500k.

Is this role remote or hybrid, and where is it located?

This is a hybrid role available in Santa Clara, CA; Austin, TX; or Ft. Collins, CO.

What skills and experience are required for this Physical Design Lead role?

Candidates need a BS/MS/PhD in EE/ECE/CE/CS with minimum 10+ years in Physical Design, hands-on experience with synthesis, PnR flows, timing closure, and tools like Primetime, Innovus, RedHawk, plus knowledge of low-power design and deep sub-micron issues.

What is the company culture like at Tenstorrent?

Tenstorrent values collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to solving hard problems while building innovative AI platforms.

What makes a strong candidate for this CPU/AI/SOC Physical Design Lead position?

A strong candidate has a BS/MS/PhD in relevant fields, 10+ years in Physical Design with taped-out SOC/ASIC/GPU/CPU designs, expertise in timing closure, PnR tools, low-power techniques, and the ability to drive physical design from early architecture to sign-off.

Tenstorrent

Builds advanced computers for AI applications

About Tenstorrent

Tenstorrent builds advanced computers specifically designed for artificial intelligence applications. Their products include high-performance computing systems that utilize specialized hardware and software solutions, leveraging technologies like ASIC design and RISC-V architecture. Unlike many competitors, Tenstorrent focuses on integrating neural network compilers into their systems, enhancing the efficiency of AI computations. The company's goal is to advance the capabilities of AI computing, serving clients in the AI and computing sectors while generating revenue through the sale of their specialized systems and services.

Toronto, CanadaHeadquarters
2016Year Founded
$1,297.7MTotal Funding
SERIES_DCompany Stage
Hardware, AI & Machine LearningIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Hybrid Work Options

Risks

Competition from established AI hardware companies like Nvidia could impact market share.
Reliance on open-source software may delay product development timelines.
Geopolitical tensions in South Korea and Japan could disrupt Tenstorrent's supply chains.

Differentiation

Tenstorrent leverages RISC-V technology for flexible, open-source AI hardware solutions.
The company partners with BOS Semiconductors to develop next-gen automotive AI chips.
Tenstorrent's global presence includes offices in key tech hubs like Silicon Valley and Tokyo.

Upsides

RISC-V architecture's growth aligns with Tenstorrent's open-source AI software focus.
Automotive AI chip market growth offers lucrative opportunities for Tenstorrent's BOS partnership.
Increasing demand for HPC systems could expand Tenstorrent's reach beyond tech industries.

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