
CPU Design Verification Technical Lead
Tenstorrent • Santa Clara, California, United States
Salary: $100,000 - $500,000 / year
Role & seniority: CPU Design Verification Lead (leadership role; open to a range of experience levels; offers aligned to level during interview)
Stack/tools: RISC-V out-of-order CPU verification; test-benches (portable), pseudo-random test generators, emulation; programming: C++, Python, SystemVerilog; collaboration with design, micro-architecture, verification, formal verification, and emulation teams; potential application of AI to verification
Top 3 responsibilities
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Lead a verification team to validate high-performance out-of-order RISC-V CPU designs
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Collaborate with architects and micro-architects to ensure design integrity and bug detection
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Develop and execute test plans, build verification environments, and drive coverage to closure
Must-have skills
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BS or MS in Computer/Electrical Engineering
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7+ years in microprocessor or GPU verification
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Deep understanding of computer architecture and out-of-order micro-architecture
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Experience creating/executing test plans; hands-on with portable test-benches, PRNGs, and emulation
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Proficiency in C++, Python, and SystemVerilog
Nice-to-haves
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Prior leadership/mentoring of verification teams
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Experience with coherency, memory consistency, or pipeline verification
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Familiarity with formal verification, AI-assisted verification techniques
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Location & work type: Hybrid; based in Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA
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. In this leadership position as a CPU Design Verification Lead, you will be responsible for validating high-performance out-of-order RISC-V CPU designs. This includes leading a team of verification engineers and working closely with architects and micro-architects to ensure the integrity of these complex CPU designs. This role is hybrid, based out of Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA. We welcome candidates at various experience levels for this role. During the interview process, candidates will be assessed for the appropriate level, and offers will align with that level, which may differ from the one in this posting. Who You Are You are passionate about computer architecture and design verification. You are detail-oriented and driven to overcome complex challenges. You are comfortable collaborating with design, microarchitecture, and verification teams to identify subtle logic bugs. You have demonstrated experience applying one or more design verification methodologies to CPU or GPU verification, including leading a team. You possess strong communication and excellent interpersonal skills for effective team collaboration. What We Need Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. 7+ years of experience in microprocessor or GPU verification, with expertise in areas such as coherency, memory consistency, or pipeline. Strong understanding of computer architecture and out-of-order CPU micro-architecture. Proficiency in creating and executing test plans, from initial feature bring-up to closure, and hands-on experience with portable test-benches, pseudo-random test generators, and emulation. Strong programming skills in C++, Python, and System Verilog. What You Will Learn Take charge of verifying one or more CPU functions, gaining hands-on experience in ensuring correctness of critical designs. Build robust verification environments and methodologies, including test benches, checkers, and coverage models that drive design confidence. Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, from design bring-up and regression setup to coverage closure. Work side by side with architecture, micro-architecture, formal verification, and emulation teams to align efforts and resolve challenges. Apply artificial intelligence techniques to boost verification productivity and improve overall quality. Compensation for all engineers at Tenstorrent ranges from $100k - $500k 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.