AI Chip Startup Internship (Multiple Roles)

About us

We are an Edinburgh-based AI chip startup developing next-generation computing technology for artificial intelligence. We are building across the full technology stack—from AI algorithms, large language models and agent software to chip architecture, hardware, systems software and commercial deployment.

We are looking for ambitious interns who want to work at the intersection of deep technology, product development and company building. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to an early-stage startup, work closely with the founding team and gain practical experience on technically and commercially important projects.

We are recruiting across several internship tracks. We do not expect one person to cover every area. Applicants should indicate the one or two tracks that best match their interests and experience.

Internship tracks

1. LLM, AI Agents and Algorithm Engineering

You may work on:

• Developing LLM-powered applications, autonomous agents and multi-agent systems
• Designing agent planning, reasoning, memory, retrieval and tool-use workflows
• Building retrieval-augmented generation, evaluation and inference pipelines
• Experimenting with model compression, quantisation, pruning and distillation
• Improving inference speed, memory efficiency, throughput and cost
• Developing benchmarks for model quality, latency, reliability and safety
• Exploring hardware-aware algorithms for efficient AI acceleration
• Reading and implementing ideas from current AI and machine-learning research

Relevant experience may include Python, PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LangGraph, vector databases, reinforcement learning, optimisation or distributed inference.

2. AI and Machine-Learning Algorithms

You may work on:

• Designing and evaluating neural-network architectures
• Developing computer-vision, natural-language-processing or multimodal models
• Exploring efficient training and inference techniques
• Creating datasets, experiments, benchmarks and evaluation frameworks
• Investigating sparsity, low-precision computation and hardware–software co-design
• Translating research ideas into prototypes that can run efficiently on custom hardware

Relevant experience may include machine learning, deep learning, statistics, numerical optimisation, linear algebra or signal processing.

3. Chip Design and Semiconductor Engineering

You may work on:

• AI accelerator and processor architecture
• RTL design using Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL or Chisel
• Digital logic, datapath, memory subsystem and interconnect design
• Functional verification, testbench development and coverage analysis
• Synthesis, timing analysis, power analysis and design optimisation
• FPGA prototyping and performance validation
• Physical design, design-for-test or analogue/mixed-signal projects, depending on experience
• Hardware–software co-design for AI workloads

Relevant experience may include computer architecture, digital electronics, ASIC or FPGA development, EDA tools, verification methodologies or semiconductor design flows.

4. Hardware, Embedded Systems and Systems Engineering

You may work on:

• FPGA boards, embedded processors and hardware prototypes
• PCB design, board bring-up, testing and debugging
• Interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SPI, I2C or high-speed memory
• Firmware, device drivers and embedded software
• Lab automation, instrumentation and performance measurement
• Thermal, power and system-level engineering
• Integration of chips, boards, firmware and host systems

Relevant experience may include C, C++, embedded Linux, microcontrollers, FPGA development, electronics, PCB tools or laboratory equipment.

5. Software, Compiler and Platform Engineering

You may work on:

• Compilers, graph optimisation and code generation for AI workloads
• Runtime systems, kernels, drivers and hardware abstraction layers
• C++, Python, Rust or low-level systems software
• Model deployment, profiling and performance optimisation
• Cloud infrastructure, APIs, developer tools and internal platforms
• Test automation, continuous integration and engineering productivity
• Full-stack tools and dashboards for customers or internal teams
• Security, reliability and observability across the software stack

Relevant experience may include software engineering, compilers, operating systems, CUDA or accelerator programming, distributed systems, DevOps, backend development or frontend development.

6. Finance, Administration, People and Operations

You may work on:

• Financial modelling, budgeting and management reporting
• Cash-flow tracking, procurement and expense administration
• Grant, investor and fundraising research
• Market, competitor and commercial analysis
• Recruitment coordination and candidate communications
• Onboarding, HR administration and company-policy development
• Project management and operational process design
• Supplier, partner and stakeholder coordination
• Maintaining company records, documentation and internal systems

Relevant experience may include finance, accounting, economics, business, human resources, project management or startup operations.

7. Marketing, Sales, PR and Business Development

You may work on:

• Market segmentation and customer discovery
• Researching potential customers, partners and investors
• Supporting outbound sales and lead-generation campaigns
• Preparing presentations, proposals and commercial materials
• Creating technical and non-technical content for LinkedIn, newsletters and media
• Supporting product launches, events, conferences and demonstrations
• Developing PR campaigns and building relationships with journalists and industry organisations
• Tracking campaign performance and maintaining CRM data
• Translating complex semiconductor and AI concepts into clear customer value propositions

Relevant experience may include marketing, communications, sales, journalism, public relations, business development or technology commercialisation.

8. Website Design, Content and Branding

You may work on:

• Designing and improving the company website
• Creating landing pages, diagrams, graphics and digital assets
• Developing the company’s visual identity and brand guidelines
• Improving website usability, accessibility and search visibility
• Producing product visuals, pitch-deck graphics and social-media content
• Building interactive demonstrations or technical explainers
• Maintaining consistent messaging and design across company materials

Relevant experience may include Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Webflow, WordPress, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, graphic design, UX/UI design, copywriting or motion design.

What we are looking for

We welcome applications from undergraduate, master’s, PhD and recent graduate candidates. Strong applicants will demonstrate:

• Genuine interest in AI, semiconductors, deep technology or startup building
• The ability to learn quickly and work through unfamiliar problems
• Strong analytical, communication and organisational skills
• Initiative, intellectual curiosity and attention to detail
• A practical mindset and willingness to take ownership of meaningful work
• The ability to work collaboratively in a fast-moving environment
• Evidence of relevant projects, research, employment, society involvement or independent work

Previous startup experience is not required. We value demonstrated ability, motivation and learning speed as much as formal credentials.

What you will gain

• Direct exposure to the development of an AI semiconductor company
• Meaningful projects with visible technical or commercial impact
• Close collaboration with founders, engineers, researchers and business leaders
• Experience working across AI algorithms, chips, systems and go-to-market activities
• Mentoring, technical feedback and opportunities to present your work
• Insight into product development, intellectual property, fundraising and startup operations
• The possibility of future internship, graduate or full-time opportunities, subject to business needs and performance