Intern - Embedded Sytems

Efficient is developing the world’s most energy-efficient general-purpose computer processor. Efficient’s patented technology uses 100x less energy than state of the art commercially available ultra-low-power processors and is programmable using standard high-level programming languages and AI/ML frameworks. This level of efficiency makes perpetual, pervasive intelligence possible: run AI/ML continuously on a AA battery for 5-10 years. Our platform’s unprecedented level of efficiency enables IoT devices to intelligently capture and curate first-party data to drive the next major computing revolution

The Embedded team at Efficient is seeking a summer intern who will help develop a standardized platform for benchmarking Efficient's custom silicon as part of a larger system. With support from the embedded team, you'll lead the process of bringing up hardware test harnesses, developing the software interface between the test platform and our processor, and high-level system design to maximize performance and energy efficiency. This is a unique opportunity  to work across the full hardware stack - from bare-metal hardware bringup and software interfaces to high-level system architecture - for hands-on experience with the entire embedded development lifecycle.

The ideal candidate is someone who desires real-world experience in their field of study, enjoys the challenges of a fast-paced, start-up environment and possesses an eagerness and willingness to learn. 

Project Description and Key Responsibilities

• Implement a hardware benchmarking harness integrating our custom silicon with interface/measurement hardware to evaluate Efficient processors in realistic deployments, with a particular focus on real-time edge ML applications.
• Develop a robust, flexible benchmarking interface suitable for a variety of applications and test designs.
• Collaborate with Applications and Optimization teams to maximize performance and efficiency of the applications under test.
• Support the Embedded team in other responsibilities as necessary, including new silicon bringup, driver/SDK development, and hardware design/debug.

Required Qualifications 

• Currently enrolled in a university program pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with embedded C/C++ development on bare-metal or RTOS-based systems.
• Familiarity with performance and energy tradeoffs in embedded systems.
• Strong understanding of embedded system integration and design: sensor and communication interfaces (e.g., SPI, UART, I2C), power delivery and measurement, and performance/throughput characterization.
• Familiarity with non-standard, command-line build systems and compiler toolchains.
• Experience with standard hardware/software debug tools: logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG interfaces, and similar.

Preferred Qualifications 

In addition to the above qualifications, priority will be given to candidates who also possess these additional qualifications:

• Experience developing and optimizing embedded DSP or ML applications (TFLite Micro, CMSIS-NN/DSP, and similar).
• Familiarity with at least one high-level scripting language (e.g., Python) for test control, data analysis, and automated reporting.
• Strong understanding of hardware-level challenges in embedded system design: signal integrity, power delivery and sequencing, and similar - particularly in the context of silicon bringup where chip and board behavior may be unknown.
• Prior internship, co-op, or research experience in an embedded or hardware-adjacent role, particularly in a startup environment where you build systems from scratch.

More Information:

This position will be based in Efficient’s Pittsburgh, PA office.

The internship will run 10-12 weeks throughout the summer, with opportunities to extend throughout the semester, where needed.

Why Join Efficient?

Efficient offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including 401K match, company-paid benefits, equity program, paid parental leave, and flexibility. We are committed to personal and professional development and strive to grow together as people and as a company.