About the role#
NVIDIA Research is looking for PhD students to join our team working at the intersection of AI hardware and software co-design, accelerator architecture, and VLSI design. You will focus on improving how we build hardware for AI and other high-impact workloads. This role involves exploring new numerical methods for model optimization, developing novel digital circuits, and applying machine learning to automated design flows.
What you'll do#
- Advance the design of accelerators for AI and other complex workloads.
- Research creative ASIC and VLSI design techniques or digital circuits.
- Apply machine learning and agentic AI to automate ASIC and VLSI design tool flows.
- Develop numerical methods for quantization, sparsity, or tensor decomposition grounded in computer arithmetic.
- Collaborate with AI researchers and hardware teams to build research prototype testchips.
- Document your findings with the goal of publishing and presenting original research.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a PhD program for Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- A record of publications in leading conferences covering ML, architecture, VLSI, or circuits.
- Strong programming skills in Python and PyTorch.
- Proficiency in hardware design languages like SystemVerilog or C++.
- Experience with modern EDA tool flows and hardware design.
- Ability to work well in a research team and communicate technical concepts clearly.
- Experience with High-Level Synthesis tools or tapeout processes is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: Santa Clara, California.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time internship.
- Compensation: 38 USD to 94 USD per hour, depending on experience and education level.
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA operates as a computer hardware manufacturer based in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 1993, the company focuses on accelerated computing and graphics technology. It produces hardware for markets including artificial intelligence, gaming, and data centers. The organization employs over 50,000 people and maintains a global presence.
How to get in at NVIDIA
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at NVIDIA because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can apply among the first before the pile grows. Getting your resume in front of a human early is often the difference between a screening call and a rejection. You can use Intern Insider to surface the recruiters behind NVIDIA roles to reach out directly. Asking a recruiter about the role or a referral materially improves your response rates compared to submitting into a general queue. It is a simple way to make your application stand out in a competitive process.
