Tenstorrent

Director, Customer Hardware Engineering at Tenstorrent (Toronto, Canada)

Tenstorrent· Toronto, Canada·

Job description

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.

At Tenstorrent, we are building open, scalable compute for real AI workloads. As Director, Customer Hardware Engineering, you own the technical relationship with strategic customers and FAEs, turning their silicon needs into precise requirements for our hardware and software teams. You connect customer architectures to Tenstorrent platforms so their models run efficiently on our silicon.

This role is hybrid, based out of Toronto, Austin, TX or Belgrade, Serbia.

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

  • Experienced leader of customer-facing technical teams and Field Application Engineering organizations.
  • Strong background across RTL, verification, and physical design for custom silicon programs.
  • Systems thinker who understands how RTL choices affect software, performance, and customer solutions.
  • Clear communicator who aligns customers, FAEs, and internal teams around shared technical goals.

What We Need

  • Own technical customer relationships and convert high-level asks into concrete engineering specifications.
  • Coordinate with hardware and software leads on customer-specific NEO silicon configurations.
  • Oversee RTL changes and NEO customization required to meet each customer’s requirements.
  • Drive tight collaboration between customer silicon teams and internal DV for reliable delivery.

What You Will learn

  • How to scale technical customer success for custom AI silicon at state of art.
  • End-to-end advanced chip design workflows for large customer programs.
  • How open-source AI software stacks integrate with Tenstorrent hardware in production settings.
  • Ways to influence product roadmaps directly from real customer workloads and feedback.

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.

Why work at Tenstorrent

  • Innovate at the Cutting Edge: Work on the full stack of AI computing—from silicon architecture and RTL design to open-source compilers and large-scale systems—alongside world-class engineers.
  • Learn from the Best: The company emphasizes a culture of learning; they look for "curious and collaborative contributors" and state, "Come with the right mindset, we can help with the rest." tenstorrent.com
  • Open-Source Impact: Engineers can contribute to and shape open-source projects that will be used by the global AI community, with a public bounty program that pays for contributions. tenstorrent.com
  • Global and Flexible: With offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, there are opportunities for relocation or local hiring in major tech hubs.
  • Compelling Mission: The chance to "build an open future" and directly challenge the dominant players in AI hardware (NVIDIA) is a powerful motivator for engineers who value technical freedom and impact.

Application questions