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CPU Core Performance Verification Intern - CPU/AI Hardware

Tenstorrent Austin, Texas, United States

onsite

Salary: $50/hr - $70/hr

Posted Jan 5, 2026

Role & seniority: Performance Verification Intern (entry to mid-level internship)

Stack/tools: assembly, C/C++, Python or Perl scripting; CPU architecture concepts (pipelines, memory systems, branch prediction); simulations/emulations; RTL and performance models; open-source benchmarks and industry-standard suites

Top 3 responsibilities

  • Create performance test plans and write stimulus to stress real CPU scenarios

  • Run simulations and emulations to validate performance metrics

  • Bring up, debug, and analyze workloads; investigate mismatches between RTL and performance models to root-cause bottlenecks

Must-have skills

  • Pursuing BS, MS, or PhD in EE, ECE, CE, or CS with strong academics

  • Experience with assembly, C/C++, and scripting (Python or Perl)

  • Familiarity with CPU architecture, pipelines, memory systems, and branch prediction; methodical, detail-oriented debug approach

Nice-to-haves

  • Prior internship or experience in CPU/RTL verification or performance analysis

  • Experience with performance benchmarks and workload tooling; knowledge of RISC-V is a plus

  • Location & work type: On-site, full-time (40 hours/week), Santa Clara, CA or Austin, TX

Full 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 the team building high-performance RISC-V CPU cores at Tenstorrent. As a Performance Verification Intern, you will work alongside CPU architects, micro-architects, and performance engineers to ensure our designs meet real-world performance demands. This is a hands-on role that spans simulation, emulation, debug, and analysis. This role is on-site, full-time (40 hours/week) in Santa Clara, CA or Austin, TX.

Who You Are Pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in EE, ECE, CE, or CS with strong academic performance. Experienced with assembly, C/C++, and scripting in Python or Perl. Familiar with CPU architecture and performance concepts, including pipelines, memory systems, and branch prediction. Comfortable working through complex debug problems in a methodical, detail-oriented way.

What We Need Interns who can create performance test plans and write stimulus to stress real CPU scenarios. Engineers who can run simulations and emulations to validate performance metrics. Contributors who can bring up and debug workloads ranging from open-source benchmarks to industry-standard suites. Teammates who can investigate mismatches between RTL and performance models and help root-cause bottlenecks.

What You Will Learn How CPU performance is measured, validated, and optimized before silicon. How performance models, RTL implementations, and debug tools come together in a real chip development workflow. Techniques for balancing tradeoffs in microarchitecture to hit performance targets. What it takes to collaborate across architecture, design, and post-silicon teams in a high-performance CPU project. 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.

AssemblyC/C++PythonPerlCPU ArchitecturePerformance ConceptsDebuggingSimulationEmulationPerformance MetricsWorkloadsOpen-source BenchmarksIndustry-standard SuitesRTLPerformance ModelsMicroarchitecturemulti-location

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