Software Engineer, Metal Runtime

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.

As a Software Engineer on the Metal Runtime team at Tenstorrent, you’ll work on the low-level software that powers our AI accelerators. You’ll design fast, efficient runtime systems that run directly on hardware and make our chips shine. If you're into pushing performance, working close to the metal, and making complex systems run smoothly, this is your kind of role.

This role is hybrid, based out of Santa Clara, CA.

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.

Who You Are

• Strong coder in C or C++, and love working close to hardware.


• Comfortable thinking in terms of threads, processors, and memory movement, and experienced writing fast, parallel code that runs across multiple processors.


• Curious about how runtimes and bare-metal software come together to power AI.


• Collaborative by nature and enjoy solving tough problems with smart people.

What We Need

• Build and optimize the Metal runtime that runs directly on our AI accelerators.


• Develop bare-metal software that controls compute units, data flow, and async operations.


• Work closely with hardware teams to get the most out of our architecture.


• Debug, analyze, and tune runtime performance across massively parallel systems.

What You Will Learn

• How to design low-level systems for cutting-edge AI hardware.


• How to make custom ASICs and co-processors work in sync across the chip.


• Best practices for debugging complex, performance-critical software.


• How software and hardware co-evolve in a fast-paced AI startup.

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.

This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicant being eligible to access U.S. export-controlled technology. Due to U.S. export laws, including those codified in the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Company is required to ensure compliance with these laws when transferring technology to nationals of certain countries (such as EAR Country Groups D:1, E1, and E2). These requirements apply to persons located in the U.S. and all countries outside the U.S. As the position offered will have direct and/or indirect access to information, systems, or technologies subject to these laws, the offer may be contingent upon your citizenship/permanent residency status or ability to obtain prior license approval from the U.S. Commerce Department or applicable federal agency. If employment is not possible due to U.S. export laws, any offer of employment will be rescinded.