Hardware Engineering Architect – High-Speed Board Design & FPGA Systems

Title:                                     Hardware Engineering Architect – High-Speed Board Design & FPGA Systems

Location:                             Onsite Sunnyvale

Employment Type:          Full-Time

Role Summary

We are seeking a Hardware Engineering Architect to lead the architecture and design of complex high-performance PCBs and hardware platforms supporting next-generation computing, networking, and silicon validation systems. This is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring deep expertise in high-speed I/O design, complex FPGA interfaces, and full-cycle board development from concept through bring-up and debug.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in solving hard signal integrity problems, integrating dense multi-interface designs, and partnering closely with FPGA, silicon, and system teams.

Key Responsibilities

·         Architect and design complex multi-layer PCBs for high-performance systems (evaluation platforms, prototype boards, test/validation systems)

·         Lead high-speed interface design and integration including:

o   PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, CXL, SerDes-based interfaces, and other high-bandwidth links

o   Drive end-to-end board development:

o   Requirements → architecture → schematic → layout guidance → fabrication → assembly → bring-up → debug

o   Own interface definition and high-speed connectivity between FPGA, SoC/ASIC, memory, and external devices

o   Partner with Signal Integrity / Power Integrity experts to ensure robust high-speed performance

o   Support system bring-up, lab debug, and root-cause resolution using advanced lab equipment

o   Collaborate cross-functionally with FPGA designers, silicon architects, mechanical, manufacturing, and validation teams

o   Mentor other engineers and raise the overall design quality and execution speed of the organization

Required Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience)

·         10+ years of experience in hardware/board design for high-performance electronics (more for Principal/Architect level)

·         Strong hands-on expertise in complex PCB architecture and board design

·         Extensive experience with high-speed I/O and dense interfaces, such as:

·         PCIe (Gen3/Gen4/Gen5/Gen6 preferred)

·         DDR4/DDR5 (and related layout constraints)

·         High-speed Ethernet (25G/50G/100G+)

·         SerDes-based links and multi-gigabit interfaces

·         Advanced FPGA interface knowledge:

·         High-speed transceivers (GTY/GTH, etc.)

·         Timing considerations and I/O standards

·         Board-level connectivity for high-throughput FPGA systems

·         Strong understanding of SI/PI fundamentals:

·         Impedance control, vias, return paths, crosstalk, reference plane strategy, decoupling

·         Experience with board bring-up and debug:

·         Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, TDR, VNAs, protocol analyzers, power rail validation

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

·         Architecture experience with evaluation boards, silicon validation boards, or emulation/prototyping platforms

·         Experience with compute/storage/networking systems or data center HW

·         Familiarity with CXL, retimers, clocking architectures, and signal conditioning

·         High-current power system architecture (multi-rail power, PMICs, POL regulators)

·         Hands-on experience with:

o   Allegro, Altium Designer, OrCAD/Capture, Xpedition, or similar EDA tools

o   Exposure to manufacturing readiness:

o   DFM/DFT, test points, boundary scan/JTAG strategy, yield feedback loops

What Success Looks Like

·         Designs are stable and high quality on first spin (or minimal re-spin)

·         High-speed links meet performance targets with clean eye margins

·         Faster bring-up cycles and reduced integration risk across teams

·         Strong collaboration and leadership across HW, FPGA, and silicon orgs