ABOUT THE TEAM
OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops custom silicon and systems for advanced AI workloads. Our first-party accelerator team works across chip architecture, design, software, and systems to build the computing platforms that power frontier models. We are a small, dynamic team that values technical breadth, hands-on engineering, and creative approaches to building complex hardware.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re looking for a SoC Engineer to help architect, design, and integrate OpenAI’s first-party AI accelerators. You will build the processor, interconnect, I/O, and platform infrastructure that connects our accelerator designs into complete, functional systems.
This role combines architectural judgment with hands-on implementation. You’ll work closely with design, architecture, verification, and software teams throughout development, from defining subsystem requirements and integrating IP to pre-silicon validation, silicon bring-up, and post-silicon debug. You should enjoy stretching across domains, rolling up your sleeves, and doing the work needed to make a complex system function end to end.
IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL
- Define and implement SoC architectures spanning embedded processors, AMBA interconnects, peripheral subsystems, PCI Express, Ethernet and die-to-die interfaces.
- Develop the microarchitecture and RTL design of subsystems supporting I/O and SoC functionality.
- Integrate Arm Cortex-M and Cortex-A processors, AXI/APB fabrics, and third-party controller IP, including the RTL and glue logic needed to connect these components.
- Develop reset and boot architectures, working with firmware and software teams to define sequencing, initialization, and survivability behavior.
- Incorporate debug, test, and security requirements into the SoC architecture and implementation, partnering with other silicon designers to make the silicon observable, testable, and secure.
- Drive PCIe and other I/O integration, including controller and PHY interfaces, high-speed SerDes, and die-to-die connectivity.
- Contribute to power management and security architecture and design.
- Work directly with third-party IP vendors to define technical requirements, evaluate IP capabilities, coordinate deliverables, and resolve issues from integration through silicon bring-up.
- Work across architecture, design, verification, physical design, and software teams to define interfaces, resolve integration issues, and carry designs through pre-silicon validation and post-silicon bring-up.
- Work closely with Firmware and Software teams to define boot, configuration and runtime behavior and functionality.
- Build and apply automation and AI-assisted tools to accelerate design, IP integration, consistency checking, and debugging while maintaining engineering quality.
YOU MIGHT THRIVE IN THIS ROLE IF YOU
- Have experience in SoC architecture, RTL design, and subsystem or full-chip integration, with hands-on ownership through implementation and silicon bring-up.
- Are familiar with Arm processor subsystems, including Cortex-M and Cortex-A, and AMBA protocols and interconnects such as AXI and APB.
- Understand PCIe protocols and have experience configuring, integrating, and debugging controller IP.
- Have experience integrating high-speed I/O, including SerDes/PHY interfaces and die-to-die links.
- Have experience working directly with third-party IP vendors to evaluate technical fit, communicate requirements, and drive integration and debug issues to resolution.
- Understand reset and boot architecture and the interactions between hardware, firmware, and software during initialization and recovery.
- Have experience designing for debug, test, and security, and can reason about how these requirements affect the broader system.
- Are comfortable writing and debugging Verilog/SystemVerilog and building scripts or tools to make integration work more efficient and reliable.
- Enjoy stretching into multiple