Hardware/Silicon Internship

About this role

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

About the role
Efficient Computer is building a new energy-efficient processor architecture from the ground up. As a Silicon Engineering Intern, you'll join our hardware team and work on production silicon, not a sandbox project. Each intern owns a well-scoped project, has a dedicated mentor, and presents results to the engineering team at the end of the internship.

What you'll do

• Help define micro-architecture for blocks and features, and implement RTL in SystemVerilog.

• Turn specs into verification plans, build testbench components, and write and debug tests.

• Run synthesis, place-and-route and timing analysis, and evaluate power, performance and area trade-offs.

• Build and improve design, verification and implementation flows, including automation and AI-assisted tooling.

• Work with architecture, design and verification engineers to find and fix issues before tapeout.

Required qualifications

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with graduation expected by Summer 2028.

• At least one term of school remaining after summer 2027.

• Coursework or project experience in digital logic design, verification, VLSI/physical design, or EDA tooling.

• Experience with at least one programming or scripting language, such as Python, C/C++, Tcl or Perl.

How to stand out

• Coursework in computer architecture.

• Verilog and System Verilog proficiency

• Experience with synthesis, static timing analysis, or place-and-route tools

• Experience with simulators and waveform debug

• FPGA design experience

• Interest in applying LLMs/agents to engineering workflows.

Details

• Duration: 12 weeks onsite, Summer 2027, then fulltime onsite/ part time onsite/ part time remote in Fall 2027

• Location: On-site in Austin, TX, San Jose, CA or Pittsburgh, PA

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.