Firmware Engineer, ASIC Drivers

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 drivers for OpenAI’s in house AI accelerator. This role involves designing and developing drivers for a large array of HW components, writing high throughput and low latency firmware code, and investigating bring-up and production issues.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement drivers for a large array of hardware components.
• 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/driver on new platforms.
• Develop processes and debug issues raised in the field.
• Set up monitoring, integration testing and diagnostics tools.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience working in embedded software/firmware.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and learn new technologies.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ 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 engineers and/or vendors.
• Knowledge of common embedded protocols (UART, I2C, SPI, etc.).
• 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.

Benefits

The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to the salary range listed for this role, total compensation may include equity, performance-related bonuses (for eligible employees), and benefits such as:

• 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, medical, and caregiver leave
• Flexible paid time off and additional paid company holidays/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

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. OpenAI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.