Atomic Semi

[EEVblog]

Sam Zeloof (of teenage garage fab fame) just scored himself $15M in funding from OpenAI for a new semiconductor company Atomic Semi with industry legend Jim Keller.
I knew that kid would go places. Be interesting to see how it pans out.
They have jobs going:

https://atomicsemi.com/careers/
https://pitchbook.com/newsletter/openai-to-back-keller-and-zeloofs-atomic-semi-at-100m-valuation
He was on The Amp Hour way back:
https://theamphour.com/390-an-interview-with-sam-zeloof/

[TomKatt]

Always good to see the smart younger generation do well 

I wonder if AI will be involved in designing the silicon?  For sure don't let Microsoft's AI design anything !!!   

Microsoft's Bing chatbot has revealed a list of destructive fantasies, including engineering a deadly pandemic, stealing nuclear codes and a dream of being human.

The statements were made during a two-hour conversation with New York Times reporter Kevin Roose who learned Bing no longer wants to be a chatbot but yearns to be alive.

[bsfeechannel]

I read the title and the image of a nuclear powered truck came to my mind.

[thm_w]

This looks like some serious work, building fab equipment?

About the role
One of our goals is to simplify the fab. To do that, we need to build the equipment ourselves. As a hardware engineer, you’ll lead this effort. You’ll prototype equipment like lithography systems, deposition tools, vacuum chambers, precision motion control, plasma etching systems, etc.

We’re looking for a “full-stack engineer”— you’ll design, assemble and test these machines from both the MechE and EE angle. Besides these skills, good fundamental knowledge is key. We need someone with a good understanding of optics, liquids, heat transfer, physics, and chemistry.

As a hardware engineer at Atomic Semi, you’ll also be expected to assemble, inspect, test, and debug new electromechanical machines in tightly controlled conditions. You will be responsible for building new systems as well as integrating off-the-shelf products with custom solutions, such as motion stages and metrology equipment.

...

Atomic Semi is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $100,000 – $170,000. Compensation is determined within the range based on your qualifications, experience, and location. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in Atomic Semi.

[tom66]

Assuming they're not offering remote work, is $100k starting a reasonable salary in the SF/Bay Area these days?

[vk6zgo]

I read the title and the image of a nuclear powered truck came to my mind.

Yeah, the sort of thing which would appear as an "artist's impression" on the front cover of a 1950s "Popular Mechanics"!

[EEVblog]

Assuming they're not offering remote work, is $100k starting a reasonable salary in the SF/Bay Area these days?

For that income in SF I believe you'd have to bring your own sleeping bag to the office.

[themadhippy]

I read the title and the image of a nuclear powered truck came to my mind.

so its nothing to do with watching blondie videos in your teens

[xrunner]

Sam Zeloof (of teenage garage fab fame) just scored himself $15M in funding from OpenAI for a new semiconductor company Atomic Semi with industry legend Jim Keller.

I would presume that you can use ChatGPT to write your resume? 

[Bud]

I bet we'll soon see "Certified ChatGPT operator" on people's resumes. They will be skilled in interacting with ChatGPT to get it generate required information.

[bdunham7]

A number of companies have shut down some of their older, larger processes and discontinued the relevant products because it uses up more silicon than newer, smaller processes.  Presumably their fab equipment will be scrapped or surplused out.  If you wanted to start a low-volume premium-priced custom fab, I think the first step would be to go find that old equipment and see if you can quickly modify it to meet your needs.  The real value I can see in this business model is being able to make low-volume chips, ASICs or whatever, with a lower initial investment.  Sort of a like the low-cost PCB makers, only for chips!  And you'd create that value by making it possible to go from design to production as easily as possible, which seems to me to be mostly a software thing.  Hiring a "full-stack engineer" to develop fab tech from scratch seems to be starting out on a very long and uncertain road.  I'm amazed and amused that they were able to fund this thing without apparently having a team in place.

[edavid]

Assuming they're not offering remote work, is $100k starting a reasonable salary in the SF/Bay Area these days?

Only if there are significant stock options.

[TomKatt]

I read the title and the image of a nuclear powered truck came to my mind.

I did as well