Staff, IP Validation Engineer Lead

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.

At Tenstorrent, we're driving the future of AI compute with our innovative silicon, and a critical aspect of ensuring the performance, functionality, and integration of our silicon is the validation of core IP blocks. We’re seeking an IP Validation Lead to take ownership and ensure that our IP blocks meet functional and performance requirements across a variety of system contexts. Reporting to the silicon validation manager, this hands-on role will involve leading the validation efforts for IPs across the system, collaborating closely with SoC validation, design, and architecture teams, while also contributing to strategic IP validation infrastructure.

This role is hybrid, based out of Toronto, Canada or Santa Clara, California.

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.

Responsibilities:

• Play a key role in shaping the future of AI accelerator hardware by validating mission-critical silicon components.
• Work with a talented team of engineers across systems, hardware, and software to deliver world-class silicon.
• Influence the future of product designs by providing feedback from real-world IP validation efforts.
• Lead the validation of core IP blocks that drive the performance of next-generation AI compute platforms at Tenstorrent.
• Drive IP validation strategy across diverse IP blocks, ensuring robust functional and performance coverage from pre-silicon through post-silicon stages.
• Collaborate closely with SoC validation and HSIO teams to ensure seamless integration of IPs into larger systems.
• Define and execute comprehensive test plans focused on real-world customer use cases and performance benchmarks.
• Develop scalable, reusable validation infrastructure to accelerate testing cycles across projects.
• Own end-to-end validation and debugging processes, leveraging simulation, emulation, and lab testing to ensure IP and SoC-level reliability.
• Utilize tools like JTAG, protocol analyzers, and other industry-standard hardware/software solutions to identify and resolve issues.
• Lead resolution of complex integration issues, driving continuous feedback into design and verification flows.
• Partner with design, architecture, verification, and software teams to embed validation strategies early in the development cycle.
• Coordinate closely with SoC validation teams to align test efforts and integration timelines.
• Provide actionable feedback to improve IP functionality, performance, and integration based on validation insights.
• Design and maintain scalable test automation frameworks supporting multiple IPs and configurations.
• Implement CI/CD practices to streamline validation workflows and enable rapid, automated feedback.
• Continuously enhance validation tools and scripts to meet evolving requirements.
• Lead IP bring-up efforts, defining MVP milestones and ensuring early silicon readiness.
• Support firmware and low-level software validation, ensuring reliable IP initialization and operation.
• Provide cross-functional support during integration, debugging, and ongoing SoC validation.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical or Computer Engineering with 8+ years of experience in IP validation or related areas.
• Deep experience in IP validation, with a strong understanding of digital logic, performance benchmarks, and functional validation techniques.
• Hands-on experience with pre-silicon simulation, emulation, and post-silicon lab validation.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, shell scripting, and Python for automation and test development.
• Expertise in using industry-standard debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers) to root-cause complex validation issues.
• Demonstrated success in working with cross-functional teams, including design, verification, architecture, and product management, to meet validation goals.
• Experience with high-speed IPs or peripherals (e.g., Ethernet, PCIe, DRAM) is a plus.
• Familiarity with IP bring-up, ATE (Automated Test Equipment) screening, and silicon characterization processes.
• Experience with continuous integration (CI) and continuous deployment (CD) methodologies and test automation frameworks.
• Exposure to RTL design or verification methodologies (e.g., SystemVerilog, UVM).
• Experience with multi-die chiplet architectures or high-speed interconnects is advantageous.

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.

Due to U.S. Export Control laws and regulations, Tenstorrent is required to ensure compliance with licensing regulations when transferring technology to nationals of certain countries that have been licensing conditions set  by the U.S. government.

As this position will have direct and/or indirect access to information, systems, or technologies that are subject to U.S. Export Control laws and regulations, please note that citizenship/permanent residency, asylee and refugee information and supporting documentation will be required and considered as a condition of employment.

If a U.S. export license is required, employment will not begin until a license with acceptable conditions is granted by the U.S. government.  If a U.S. export license with acceptable conditions is not granted by the U.S. government, then the offer of employment will be rescinded.