At Normal, we're rewriting AI foundations to advance the frontier of reasoning and reliability in the physical world. We are tackling problems across semiconductors and industrials with a mix of interdisciplinary approaches across the full stack: from probabilistic software infrastructure and algorithms to hardware and physics, enabling AI that can reason and understand its own limits.
At Normal, we understand that our technology is only as powerful as the people behind it. Every employee drives significant impact within our products, often working directly with customers and embedding across our tightly-knit team. Our team members are driven by curiosity and passion for solving some of the most challenging problems in the world of atoms.
Normal was founded in 2022 by engineers and scientists that pioneered industry-leading Physics + ML tools for next-gen AI at Google Brain and Google X.
At Normal, we're rewriting AI foundations to advance the frontier of reasoning and reliability in the physical world. We are tackling problems across semiconductors and industrials with a mix of interdisciplinary approaches across the full stack: from probabilistic software infrastructure and algorithms to hardware and physics, enabling AI that can reason and understand its own limits.
At Normal, we understand that our technology is only as powerful as the people behind it. Every employee drives significant impact within our products, often working directly with customers and embedding across our tightly-knit team. Our team members are driven by curiosity and passion for solving some of the most challenging problems in the world of atoms.
Normal was founded in 2022 by engineers and scientists that pioneered industry-leading Physics + ML tools for next-gen AI at Google Brain and Google X.
Core offerings: Normal EDA (AI-powered EDA) and thermodynamic computing ASICs
Reported seed raise: $35M (company statement)
Notable investors/supporters: Eric Schmidt, First Spark Ventures, Drive Capital, Celesta Capital, Micron Ventures, Samsung Next, ARIA
Company Overview
Problem Domain
AI-driven chip design and energy-efficient AI hardware for semiconductor and industrial applications.
Founded
2022
Industry
Software Development
Funding Track Record
Seed
$35M
Company blog post reports $35M in seed capital.
Grant
Crunchbase indicates a Grant round with ARIA named as lead.
Investor Signal
“Mix of strategic investors and venture funds including Eric Schmidt, First Spark Ventures, Drive Capital, Celesta Capital, Micron Ventures, Samsung Next, ARIA, Intel Ignite, National Security Innovation Network”
Founders
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Join the Team
Hardware Engineer, Physical Design
HybridLondon, England, GB
Hybrid • London, England, GB
Normal Computing | Incredible Opportunities
The Normal Team builds foundational software and hardware that help move technology forward - supporting the semiconductor industry, critical AI infrastructure, and the broader systems that power our world. We work as one team across New York, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and London.
Your Role In Our Mission
As a Physical Design Engineer at Normal, you will work closely with the silicon and hardware R&D team to develop and implement novel thermodynamic computing architectures. You will have significant ownership of chip floorplanning, top-level integration, and signoff, with the goal of delivering reliable silicon and achieving first-silicon-success.
Responsibilities
Teeming tracks opportunities at over 24,000 AI startups, then works with you to find (and land) the one you'll love.
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Lead physical design for a novel silicon-based computing architecture through tape-out and iteration.
Implement full chip and layout blocks. Procure and integrate IP.
Own and evolve the physical design flow end to end, including tool selection, methodology definition, automation, and continuous improvement
Translate unconventional architectural and circuit concepts into robust, manufacturable layouts, making tradeoffs across PPA and feasibility
Drive floorplanning, power delivery, clocking, and implementation.
Partner with architecture, circuit, modeling, and systems teams to co-design hardware and physical implementation.
Develop custom scripts, checks, and analysis tools (Tcl/Python or similar) to enable rapid experimentation and design space exploration.
Act as a technical leader in a fast-moving startup environment, mentoring others and helping shape long-term silicon and methodology strategy.
What Makes You A Great Fit
Experience working on AI accelerators, novel or non-traditional computing architectures.
Background that blends research and production (e.g., research tape-outs, internal tools, early-node or first-of-kind silicon)
Evidence of first-principles thinking in physical design, rather than reliance on established flows.
Contributions to flow development, methodology papers, internal tools, or open-source EDA/software projects.
Experience in startup environments or small, high-ownership teams.
Comfort collaborating across disciplines (architecture, circuits, modeling, systems, or packaging).
Demonstrated mentorship or technical leadership beyond individual contribution.
What Elevates Your Application
7+ years of experience in silicon physical design, or equivalent depth demonstrated through complex tape-outs, research prototypes, or unconventional design work.
Proven ownership of physical design flows and methodologies, beyond execution within an existing flow.
Strong hands-on experience with place & route, timing closure, and physical signoff, even when constraints or architectures are non-standard.
Proficiency in scripting and automation (Tcl, Python, or similar) to build and evolve custom PD flows.
Ability to operate independently in an ambiguous, fast-moving R&D environment and drive work from concept to silicon.
Equal Employment Opportunity StatementNormal 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 AccommodationsNormal 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 accomodations@normalcomputing.ai.Privacy NoticeBy submitting your application, you agree that Normal Computing may collect, use, and store your personal information for employment-related purposes in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
