Summer 2025 - AI Hardware Research Intern: AI Workloads Sparsity Exploitation (6581)

Overview of Role

TSMC Corporate Research Organization is seeking a talented and motivated individual to join our team as an AI hardware research intern for Summer 2025. You will be part of our research team, focusing on a cutting-edge project related to AI algorithms and their hardware implementations. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience for students interested in AI accelerator performance improvement knobs. This position is in TSMC San Jose office, and we are currently operating in a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in office.

This Internship Program is open to students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking university, and who are last year PhD students. The Summer 2025 internship will begin in May 2025 and continue through August 2025.

Responsibilities

• Exploration of weight and activation sparsity on CNN and Transformer with respect to application-level accuracy and hardware overhead
• Implementation of a sparse CNN and Transformer training framework and accuracy benchmark vs. dense models
• Evaluation of involved hardware enabling sparse computations

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. Student in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
• Hands-on experience on:
  • Sparsity-aware training and algorithm implementation
  • Python and Pytorch, HuggingFace libraries
  • CNN and Transformer for predictive and generative applications
  • MAC unit implementation including Compute-In-Memory

Preferred Qualifications

• Quick learner
• Problem solver with minimal supervision
• Creative
• Self-driven and proactive
• Team player
• Excellent communicator 

Company Description

As a trusted technology and capacity provider, TSMC is driven by the desire to be:

• The world’s leading dedicated semiconductor foundry
• The technology leader with a strong reputation for manufacturing excellence
• Advancing semiconductor manufacturing innovations to enable the future of technology

TSMC pioneered the pure-play foundry business model when it was founded in 1987 and has been the world’s leading dedicated semiconductor foundry ever since. The Company supports a thriving ecosystem of global customers and partners with the industry’s leading process technologies and a portfolio of design enablement solutions to unleash innovation for the global semiconductor industry. With global operations spanning Asia, Europe, and North America, TSMC serves as a committed corporate citizen around the world.

In North America, TSMC has a strong sales and service organization that works with customers by helping them achieve silicon success with cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing excellence. The Company has continued to accelerate its R&D investment and staffing in recent years and is expanding its manufacturing footprint to support customer innovation with 3D IC technologies and optimal manufacturing capacity.

For positions requiring access to technical data subject to export control regulations, including Export Administration Regulations, TSMC North America may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Government for certain individuals.  All employment is contingent upon TSMC North America obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by the U.S. Government.

Diversity statement

TSMC Technology, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

TSMC is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us at G_ACCOMMODATIONS@TSMC.COM. TSMC confirms to all applicants its commitment to meet TSMC’s obligations under applicable employment law. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Pay Transparency Statement

At the time of this posting, this role typically pays an hourly rate between $42.00 and $48.00 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hires. Actual pay may be more or less than the posted range. Factors that influence pay include the individual's skills, qualifications, education, experience and the position level and location.