Hardware Engineer, RTL
Normal Computing | Build with Us
Normal is an applied AI company solving the hardest problems in AI and silicon. We build foundational hardware and software for the semiconductor industry, critical AI infrastructure, and the broader systems that power our world, in partnership with the world's most advanced institutions. We work as one team across New York City, San Francisco, London, Copenhagen, and Pangyo.
The Role
As an RTL Design Engineer at Normal, you will design and verify the digital logic at the heart of Normal's thermodynamic hardware. This work sits at the intersection of classical ASIC design, novel computing architectures, and a development environment where the hardware and the algorithms are built together, not in sequence.
You will own RTL from microarchitecture to tapeout: writing microarchitecture specifications, creating synthesizable SystemVerilog, working with design verification engineers fully test the design using conventional and formal methods, and working closely with physical design to make sure the design meets area and timing constraints. Because Normal's chips are not standard accelerators, the RTL engineer here is closer to first-principles decisions than at a larger company. You will be shaping architecture, not just implementing it.
This is a role for an engineer who collaborates effectively across teams, including architecture, verification and physical design. The strongest candidates have taped out silicon, written RTL and helped close coverage, and are comfortable working in an environment where the specification is still being developed in parallel.
What You Will Own
RTL Design: Write and own synthesizable RTL in SystemVerilog across blocks ranging from datapath logic to control and memory interfaces.
Microarchitecture: Work with architecture to translate high-level specifications into implementable microarchitectures.
Verification: Work closely with the verification team to review verification plans, assist on debug, and become a partner in closing coverage.
Physical Design Collaboration: Collaborate with physical design on timing closure, floorplanning constraints, and DFT.
Design Reviews: Participate in design reviews and contribute to architecture decisions, not just implementation.
Tapeout & Bring-up: Support tapeout preparation, integration, and post-silicon bring-up as needed.
What Makes You a Great Fit
Hands-on experience writing production RTL in SystemVerilog and closing it through synthesis and place-and-route
Experience in closing coverage to a high level
At least one tapeout in your background, from any node and any company size
Experience working on datapaths, pipelines, or custom logic where the microarchitecture was not fully specified upfront
Strong debugging instincts across simulation, waveforms, and formal counterexamples
Ability to work directly with architects and physical designers without needing a large intermediary layer
Industry experience in ASIC or SoC design
Bonus Points
Experience at an AI chip company where design and verification were tightly coupled
Open-source RTL contributions to projects like Chipyard, OpenTitan, or CVA6
Familiarity with RISC-V or other open ISAs
Experience with AI-assisted RTL or EDA tooling in your design workflow
Exposure to physical design constraints, floorplanning, or timing-driven RTL development
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Normal Computing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility Accommodations
Normal Computing is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at [email protected].
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