Sr. Staff Engineer, Design Verification Methodology Lead

We're building the next generation of AI-optimized CPUs, and we need a verification leader with deep experience navigating complex design validation at scale. As Design Verification Lead, you'll own the verification strategy for our RISC-V CPU architecture—the technical backbone ensuring our designs meet functional and performance requirements through manufacturing. You'll partner with our architecture and design teams to develop a comprehensive verification roadmap that identifies and addresses critical design issues early in the cycle, mentor a growing team of verification engineers, and establish the automation infrastructure necessary to maintain iteration velocity. This leadership role requires someone with substantial hands-on experience in large-scale CPU verification who understands both the strategic and tactical dimensions of design validation.

This is a hybrid role is in Austin, TX or Santa Clara, CA, with remote possibilities based on qualifications.

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

• You have led testbench development and architectural decisions for complex verification projects. You understand the tradeoffs in testbench structure and have applied that knowledge across multiple significant designs.
• You have substantial hands-on experience with SystemVerilog and UVM. You can design verification architectures from first principles and are comfortable optimizing implementations without external references.
• You recognize infrastructure and automation as critical components of verification effectiveness. You have either built or directly contributed to CAD tools and verification infrastructure that meaningfully improved team productivity.
• You operate effectively across both strategic planning and implementation. You can engage in architectural discussions with design leadership and independently debug complex verification issues.

What We Need

•  8+ years of experience in CPU or complex SoC verification. Demonstrated experience closing coverage on designs of comparable complexity and working through silicon-scale debug cycles.
• Expert-level proficiency in SystemVerilog and UVM. Ability to architect, implement, and optimize testbenches independently.
• Strong scripting skills, particularly Python. Experience building internal tools and automation that enhances team workflows and integrates verification infrastructure.
• C experience is a plus. Relevant for simulator development or low-level debug work, but not required if your verification automation practice is well-established.

What You Will Do and Mentor

• Verification strategy aligned with silicon outcomes. Developing testbenches and coverage strategies that identify critical design issues before manufacturing.
• Team scaling and process optimization. Building verification libraries, establishing best practices, and determining appropriate investment in automation versus custom test development.
• Advanced CPU verification methodologies. Working with RISC-V architectures and emerging design paradigms relevant to AI compute applications.

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.