Component Engineer

Job Description About EtchedApply fast, check the full description by scrolling below to find out the full requirements for this role.Etched is building the world’s first AI inference system purpose-built for transformers - delivering over 10x higher performance and dramatically lower cost and latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history.Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly motivated, intelligent, and flexible Component Engineer to ensure the components that underpin our systems — from VRMs to high-speed connectors — meet our standards for performance, manufacturability, long-term supply stability, and reliability at scale. This role reports to the Head of Quality and Reliability with a strong “dotted line” to Electrical Engineering R&D.This position plays a critical part in scaling our data center infrastructure design and production, sitting at the intersection of electrical engineering, quality and reliability, supply chain, and manufacturing. The Component Engineer owns the technical and lifecycle integrity of electronic components used in Etched’s compute trays, IO boards, mezzanine cards, and supporting subsystems. By driving evaluation and qualification efforts and smoothing supply chain obstacles, this position enables acceleration of design and production.Key ResponsibilitiesComponent Selection & Technical EvaluationPartner with EE design teams to identify and approve components for:VRMs and power delivery subsystemsLogic-bearing devices (retimers, controllers, clocking, CPLDs, etc.)High-speed interconnect (connectors, cages, cables)Standard passives and electromechanical componentsPerform technical trade studies (electrical, thermal, reliability, derating).Review and interpret datasheets, qualification reports, and vendor reliability data.Drive component derating guidelines and approved component standards.Component Qualification & ReliabilityDevelop and execute qualification plans for new components.Review vendor qual (HTOL, HAST, temp cycling, mechanical stress, etc.).Assess FIT/MTBF data and integrate into system-level reliability models.Define incoming inspection requirements where appropriate.Lead failure analysis coordination for component-level escapes.Approve or reject components based on risk, lifecycle, and performance.Alternate Sourcing & Lifecycle ManagementIdentify and qualify second sources for single-source or long-lead components.Monitor lifecycle status (PCN, EOL, LTB notices).Partner with Supply Chain to mitigate allocation and geopolitical risk.Own AVL (Approved Vendor List) governance and component health metrics.Drive BOM risk reviews prior to design freeze and production release.Cross-Functional CollaborationEE on design-in decisionsQuality on qualification standardsManufacturing on DFM and yield sensitivitiesSupply Chain on sourcing strategy and lead time riskContract Manufacturers on approved substitutionsSupport NPI builds with rapid evaluation of substitute components.Participate in design reviews (schematic/layout) for high-risk components.Interface with suppliers on technical clarifications and audits.You may be a good fit if you have (Must-have qualifications)Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a related field.5+ years in component engineering, hardware development, or electronic reliability engineering.Experience with server, networking, storage, or high-performance compute platforms.Exposure to ECAD tools (e.g., Cadence, Altium, or similar) and an understanding of how CAD data is managed within a PLM system (e.g. Team Center, SAP)Strong knowledge of: Power electronics (VRMs, controllers, MOSFETs, inductors), High-speed connectors (PCIe, QSFP, board-to-board mezzanine), Logic-bearing components and control devices, Passive component derating practicesFamiliarity with PCN/EOL processes and lifecycle risk management.Familiarity with JEDEC and IPC standardsExperience working with contract manufacturers in AsiaStrong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-expert usersStrong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot technical and process issues methodicallyTendency to think in terms of risk and higher level objectives, not just spec compliance.Preference for a dynamic and fast-moving startup environmentDetail-oriented mindset with an emphasis on data quality, consistency, and process adherenceBenefitsMedical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage$500 per month credit for waiving medical benefitsHousing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the officeRelocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and moreDaily lunch and dinner in our officeHow we’re differentEtched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We think most of the progress in the AI field has come from using more FLOPs to train and run models, and the best way to get more FLOPs is to build model-specific hardware. Larger and larger training runs encourage companies to consolidate around fewer model architectures, which creates a market for single-model ASICs.We are a fully in-person team in San Jose and Taipei, and greatly value engineering skills. xaygatp We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both as needed.