RTL & Codesign Engineer at OpenAI

San Francisco, California, United States

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$250,000 – $460,000Compensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

AI, Semiconductors, HardwareIndustries

Requirements

Graduate-level research or industry experience in computer architecture, AI/ML hardware–software co-design, including workload analysis, dataflow mapping, or accelerator algorithm optimization
Expertise writing production-quality RTL in Verilog/SystemVerilog, with a track record of delivering complex blocks to tape-out
Experience developing hardware design models or architectural simulators, ideally for AI/ML or high-performance compute systems
Familiarity with industry-standard design tools (lint, CDC/RDC, synthesis, STA) and methodologies
Ability to work cross-functionally with architecture, ML systems, compilers, and verification teams
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to think across abstraction layers, from algorithms to circuits
Passion for building industry-leading massive-scale hardware systems

Responsibilities

Produce clean, production-quality microarchitecture and RTL for major accelerator subsystems
Contribute to architectural studies including performance modeling and feasibility analysis
Collaborate with software, simulator, and compiler teams to ensure hardware/software co-design and workload fit
Partner with DV and PD to ensure functional correctness, timing closure, area/power targets, and clean integration
Build and review performance and functional models to validate design intent
Participate in design reviews, documentation, and bring-up support across the full silicon lifecycle

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

RTLVerilogSystemVerilogmicroarchitecturecomputer architectureAI acceleratorperformance modelingtiming closurephysical designhardware/software co-designdataflow mapping

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the RTL & Codesign Engineer position?

The salary range is $250K - $460K.

Is this role remote or based in an office?

This role is based in San Francisco, CA, with a hybrid work model requiring 3 days in the office per week. OpenAI offers relocation assistance to new employees.

What skills are required for this RTL Engineer role?

Required skills include graduate-level experience in computer architecture or AI/ML hardware-software co-design, expertise in writing production-quality RTL in Verilog/SystemVerilog with tape-out experience, experience with hardware design models or architectural simulators, and familiarity with industry-standard design tools like lint, CDC/RDC, synthesis, and STA.

What is the team like at OpenAI's Hardware organization?

The Hardware team develops silicon and system-level solutions for AI workloads, building next-generation AI-native silicon while collaborating closely with software and research partners on hardware-software co-design.

What makes a strong candidate for this RTL Engineer position?

Strong candidates have graduate-level experience in computer architecture or AI/ML co-design, proven expertise in production RTL with tape-outs, experience with design models and simulators, cross-functional collaboration skills, and a passion for massive-scale hardware systems.

OpenAI

Develops safe and beneficial AI technologies

About OpenAI

OpenAI develops and deploys artificial intelligence technologies aimed at benefiting humanity. The company creates advanced AI models capable of performing various tasks, such as automating processes and enhancing creativity. OpenAI's products, like Sora, allow users to generate videos from text descriptions, showcasing the versatility of its AI applications. Unlike many competitors, OpenAI operates under a capped profit model, which limits the profits it can make and ensures that excess earnings are redistributed to maximize the social benefits of AI. This commitment to safety and ethical considerations is central to its mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence (AGI) serves all of humanity.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$18,433.2MTotal Funding

LATE_VCCompany Stage

AI & Machine LearningIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Flexible spending account for healthcare and dependent care

Mental healthcare service

Fertility treatment coverage

401(k) with generous matching

20-week paid parental leave

Life insurance (complimentary)

AD&D insurance (complimentary)

Short-term/long-term disability insurance (complimentary)

Optional buy-up life insurance

Flexible work hours and unlimited paid time off (we encourage 4+ weeks per year)

Annual learning & development stipend

Regular team happy hours and outings

Daily catered lunch and dinner

Travel to domestic conferences

Risks

Elon Musk's legal battle may pose financial and reputational challenges for OpenAI.

Customizable ChatGPT personas could lead to privacy and ethical concerns.

Competitors like Anthropic raising capital may intensify market competition.

Differentiation

OpenAI's capped profit model prioritizes ethical AI development over unlimited profit.

OpenAI's AI models, like Sora, offer unique video creation from text descriptions.

OpenAI's focus on AGI aims to create AI systems smarter than humans.

Upsides

OpenAI's $6.6 billion funding boosts its AI research and computational capacity.

Customizable ChatGPT personas enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

OpenAI's 'Operator' AI agent could revolutionize workforce automation by 2025.

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