ASIC Firmware Engineer, Modeling

Details

About the team

OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops silicon and system-level solutions designed for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. The team is responsible for building the next generation of AI-native silicon while working closely with software and research partners to co-design hardware tightly integrated with AI models. In addition to delivering production-grade silicon for OpenAI’s supercomputing infrastructure, the team also creates custom design tools and methodologies that accelerate innovation and enable hardware optimized specifically for AI.

About the role

We are looking for an embedded engineer to help build firmware and associated modeling software for OpenAI’s in-house AI accelerator. This role involves designing and developing drivers and functional models for a large array of hardware components, writing high-throughput and low-latency firmware code, and investigating bring-up and production issues.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement drivers for hardware peripherals, including those related to AI chips.
• Design and implement functional software models to simulate SoC uncore logic and enable firmware testing against the model.
• Design and implement low-latency and high-throughput embedded software to manage hardware resources.
• Work with adjacent software and hardware teams to implement requirements, debug issues, and shape future generations of the hardware.
• Collaborate with vendors to integrate their technologies within our systems.
• Bring up and debug firmware/drivers on new platforms.
• Define processes and debug issues raised in the field.
• Set up monitoring, integration testing, and diagnostics tools.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working in embedded software.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and learn new technologies.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and/or Rust.
• Experience developing high-throughput, low-latency, and multi-threaded code.
• Experience working with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Experience developing hardware drivers and working with hardware.
• Experience with HW/SW co-design.
• Knowledge of common embedded protocols (UART, I2C, SPI).
• Knowledge of microprocessor and common ARM architectures (e.g., AMBA) is a plus.
• Knowledge of PCIe, Ethernet, and other high-bandwidth communication protocols is a plus.
• Experience with GPUs or other compute hardware is a plus.
• Experience deploying large compute clusters is a plus.

To comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidates for this role may need to meet certain legal status requirements as provided in those laws and regulations.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and total compensation (range listed separately).
• Offers equity and potential performance-related bonuses for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental leave, paid medical and caregiver leave, and paid time off (flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees).
• 13+ paid company holidays and multiple coordinated company office closures.
• Mental health and wellness support; employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend; daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits as eligible.
• Relocation support for eligible employees.
• Additional taxable fringe benefits (charitable donation matching, wellness stipends) where applicable.

Additional notes

Background checks will be administered in accordance with applicable law. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.