Design Engineering Intern (CCE2)

Design Engineer Intern (CCE2)

About Astera Labs

The opportunity

What you’ll do

What you bring

• Coursework, projects, research, or hands-on experience in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Foundational understanding of digital logic, RTL, computer architecture, finite-state machines, computer arithmetic, or hardware interfaces.
• Experience with Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, C/C++, Python, or another language used in digital design and automation.
• Curiosity about how complex silicon designs work and a methodical approach to translating requirements into testable, maintainable logic.
• Comfort learning in Linux and working with command-line tools, source control, technical specifications, logs, waveforms, and development scripts.
• Ability to ask focused questions, communicate assumptions and blockers, accept design feedback, and follow through on commitments.
• Ownership, learning agility, persistence, and a collaborative mindset in a fast-moving silicon-development environment.

Helpful experience

Internship experience and compensation

Equal opportunity

Qualifications

• Coursework, projects, research, or hands-on experience in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Foundational understanding of digital logic, RTL, computer architecture, finite-state machines, computer arithmetic, or hardware interfaces.
• Experience with Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, C/C++, Python, or another language used in digital design and automation.
• Curiosity about how complex silicon designs work and a methodical approach to translating requirements into testable, maintainable logic.
• Comfort learning in Linux and working with command-line tools, source control, technical specifications, logs, waveforms, and development scripts.
• Ability to ask focused questions, communicate assumptions and blockers, accept design feedback, and follow through on commitments.
• Ownership, learning agility, persistence, and a collaborative mindset in a fast-moving silicon-development environment.
• Helpful experience
• RTL design, simulation, assertions, lint, CDC/RDC, synthesis, formal analysis, or design-for-test concepts.
• SystemVerilog interfaces, parameterized modules, FIFOs, arbiters, pipelines, state machines, register maps, or bus protocols.
• PCIe, CXL, UALink, Ethernet, SERDES, retimers, switches, memory systems, SoC design, or other high-speed connectivity technologies.
• EDA tools such as VCS, Verdi, DVE, Design Compiler, Fusion Compiler, or comparable tools.
• Python, Tcl, Bash, or other scripting for automation, report parsing, regression support, or data analysis.
• Emulation, FPGA prototyping, gate-level simulation, timing constraints, power-aware design, or hardware bring-up.
• Git, Bitbucket, Jira, Confluence, Slurm, or similar collaborative engineering workflows.
• Internship experience and compensation
• This is a paid, hourly U.S. internship. The applicable hourly rate is determined as part of the offer process and specified in the offer letter, depending on education level ranges from $35/hour to $55/hour. U.S. interns currently receive a $500-per-week housing/relocation stipend for the duration of the internship. Interns participate in Early Career programming, including technical and professional-development sessions, community events, and an end-of-program project presentation.
• Equal opportunity
• Astera Labs is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We value diverse perspectives and consider qualified candidates without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Learn the product architecture, microarchitecture, design methodology, development environment, tools, and project workflow needed to contribute effectively.
• Read architecture, interface, microarchitecture, and product-requirement documentation and translate requirements into clear design behavior.
• Design, implement, modify, and document synthesizable RTL in Verilog or SystemVerilog under engineering guidance.
• Contribute to datapaths, control logic, state machines, register interfaces, configuration and status logic, error handling, arbitration, buffering, or other digital design functions.
• Work with interface and connectivity logic for technologies such as PCIe, CXL, UALink, Ethernet, SERDES, or related high-speed systems as appropriate for the project.
• Develop or update design specifications, block diagrams, interface definitions, register descriptions, timing assumptions, and design documentation.
• Run simulations and use waveforms, logs, assertions, and regression results to debug RTL behavior and verify design changes.
• Support lint, CDC/RDC, synthesis, formal, low-power, or related design-quality checks and investigate issues with guidance from experienced engineers.
• Collaborate with Design Verification to make interfaces and behavior testable, review coverage or failures, and resolve issues found during verification.
• Work with physical design, DFT, emulation, firmware, validation, and architecture teams to understand constraints, handoffs, and implementation impact.
• Contribute to scripts, configuration, test collateral, reports, code reviews, issue tracking, and design-flow improvements.
• Deliver assigned design work in a reproducible, reviewable, and well-documented state and present your project, results, and key learnings at the end of the internship.