Principal Systems Architect

Responsibilities

• Architectural Definition & Detailed Specification Own and author comprehensive, unambiguous system architecture specifications, micro-architectural specs, and/or platform requirement documents.
• Define rigorous system-level hardware/software partition boundaries and map out register-level interfaces for hardware blocks and low-level software stacks.

Requirements

• Proven track record of engineering and architectural success within the server, data center, or enterprise infrastructure industry.
• Demonstrated ability to independently produce and maintain highly detailed, production-grade technical specifications.
• Deep, continuous experience with circuit design, schematic capture, laboratory equipment, and platform troubleshooting.

Preferred

• Qualifications Active participation in open infrastructure communities like the Open Compute Project (OCP).
• Deep understanding of hardware security concepts (cryptographic accelerators, HSM, TPM, Side-Channel attack mitigations).
• Experience with BMC firmware architecture (OpenBMC) and server management interfaces (MCTP, NVMe-MI, LTPI).

Role

Summary As a Lead System Architect at Axiado, you will define the end-to-end architecture bridging silicon (ASIC/SoC), board-level hardware platforms, and low-level system software/firmware. Leveraging your deep expertise in the server and infrastructure industry, you will translate customer requirements into detailed technical specifications. This high-impact role requires navigating complex hardware/software tradeoffs while collaborating closely with Axiado’s engineering teams, customers, standards organizations and ecosystem partners. Key Responsibilities 1.

Drive micro-architecture specifications for high-security, AI-driven SoCs, including on-chip interconnects (AXI/AHB), memory hierarchies, and standard I/O interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, eSPI, I3C, LTPI). 2. Customer Interfacing & Ecosystem Engagement Serve as a primary technical point of contact for enterprise and hyperscaler customers to gather, analyze, and scope their next-generation platform security needs. Present Axiado’s system architecture roadmap and technical whitepapers to strategic customers, steering-level partners, and standards committees. Align Axiado’s technology with modern server deployment topologies and open-source standards (such as OCP DC-SCM / DC-SCI). 3. Server Infrastructure & Board-Level Integration Architect platform-level designs optimized for enterprise server motherboards, baseboard management systems, and cloud data center environments. Guide hardware and SI/PI engineers on signal integrity, power delivery networks, and thermal/mechanical constraints for modular server building blocks. 4. Software, Firmware & Security Stack Partitioning Specify secure platform boot flows, Root-of-Trust (RoT) architecture, and Platform Firmware Resiliency (PFR) frameworks. Collaborate with firmware teams to define interfaces for BMC stacks (OpenBMC), Linux kernels, device drivers, and platform management protocols (MCTP, PLDM, Redfish).

Required Qualifications Experience

10+ years of dedicated system architecture experience spanning SoC design, board development, and software stacks.

Customer Facing

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with comfort interfacing directly with sophisticated enterprise customers and technical stakeholders.

Education

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Technical Breadth

Silicon: Deep knowledge of SoC design flows, interconnects, and interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, DRAM, USB).

Board-Level

Hands-on experience with hardware platform design, schematic capture, and lab bring-up tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).

Software

Clear understanding of embedded firmware, RTOS, Linux device drivers, and low-level C/C++ programming.

Qualifications Experience & Education

10+ years of hardware engineering experience with a leadership track record in server, data center, or semiconductor ecosystems. B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering (EE).

Production Track Record

Proven history of taking complex board designs to high-volume production with excellent yields and resolving field RMA issues.

DC-SCM & Ecosystem Expertise

Strong knowledge of OCP DC-SCM standard solutions (DC-SCI interface, form factors) and a solid network across hyperscaler and OEM partners.

Supply Chain Agility

Demonstrated capability to execute rapid hardware redesigns, footprint compatibility strategies, and alternative component sourcing.

Tool & Interface Proficiency

Expert familiarity with Cadence OrCAD/Allegro and server interfaces (PCIe, USB, I2C, SMBus, SPI, UART, USB, MCTP, eSPI, LTPI).

Architecture & Software Knowledge

Solid understanding of modern CPU/GPU architectures and the Linux environment (including Python or Bash scripting).

Communication

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to articulate hardware-anchored security and supply chain strategy to enterprise stakeholders.

Axiado is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the highest caliber talent in a diverse and multifaceted environment. We are headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, with access to the world's leading research, technology and talent. We are building an exceptional team to secure every node on the internet. For us, solving real-world problems takes precedence over purely theoretical problems. As a result, we prefer individuals with persistence, intelligence and high curiosity over pedigree alone. Working hard and smart, continuous learning and mutual support are all part of who we are. Axiado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Axiado does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Axiado is an AI-enhanced security processor company redefining the control and management of every digital system. The company was founded in 2017, and currently has 100+ employees. At Axiado, developing great technology takes more than talent: it takes amazing people who understand collaboration, respect each other, and go the extra mile to achieve exceptional results. It takes people who have the passion and desire to disrupt the status quo, deliver innovation, and change the world. If you have this type of passion, we invite you to apply for this job.