Hardware Engineering Architect, Server

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Hardware Engineering Architect for Server/AI Products to lead architecture concept work during the early design phase. This role focuses on translating customer use cases and technical trends into viable, scalable server architectures to support RFQ/RFI and new business engagements. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders (e.g., CTO, BU, Marketing) to define system-level strategy, high-level configurations, and functional requirements for next‑generation server/AI platforms. This role can be Hybrid/ for Austin TX candidates. Key Responsibilities Lead system-level architecture planning for Server/AI platforms, including product configuration definition, functional partitioning, and mechanical/thermal/power/cooling feasibility alignment. Drive the definition of system requirements, interface specifications, and early configuration options (e.g., GPU, accelerator, storage, and compute servers). Conduct architectural trade‑off analysis balancing performance, cost, power, scalability, and manufacturability. Collaborate with EE, thermal, mechanical, BMC, and firmware architects to form a complete product‑level concept package. Work with Architecture and BU teams to evaluate RFQ/RFI requirements and generate competitive architecture proposals. Define and propose system topologies, mechanical footprints, airflow design, I/O mappings, and cabling options. Interface with customers and internal stakeholders to align design intent and value proposition during the concept phase. Present and document concept proposals that include block diagrams, design strategy, trade‑off summary, and risk evaluation. Stay up to date with Open Compute (OCP), Computer Express Link (CXL) or Open BMC. Evaluate and integrate technology enablers such as PCIe Gen5/6, 112G PAM4 SerDes, high‑efficiency power stages, and new materials. Participate in roadmap planning with BU/CTO to ensure platform reusability and alignment with future‑generation technologies. Define how electrical, mechanical, thermal, and firmware domains interact to support functional and performance goals. Coordinate platform‑level integration strategies including MB placement, airflow optimization, and system serviceability. Align system‑level DFM/EMC/thermal reliability requirements in early phase and guide downstream teams with clear targets. Lead the creation of architecture decks, system requirements, platform‑level block diagrams, and BoM‑level feasibility plans. Drive internal and customer‑facing design reviews for architecture alignment and requirement sign‑off. Maintain issue‑tracking and lessons‑learned documentation to improve future concept efficiency. Technical Skills Ability to research and explore unfamiliar technologies and concepts with an eye towards feasibility. Familiarity with the Intel, AMD, Nvidia or ARM CPU/GPU architectures. Specifically, an understanding of how to optimize performance, IO, thermals, real‑estate and/or power. Direct experience with at least some of the above is preferred. Familiarity with PCB board materials and construction techniques. Specifically, an understanding of trade‑offs and optimizations around insertion loss, via construction, stack‑ups and sizing of power planes and shapes. High‑level understanding of voltage regulators related to types of VR architectures, trade‑offs, efficiency, thermals, and critical VR components. Ability to use industry standard ECAD tools to review layouts and schematics is required. Ability to manipulate existing ECAD layouts and schematic databases for purposes of architectural planning and assessment preferred. Experience coding, sizing, and planning FPGAs, preferred. Fluency in the mechanical, firmware and software domain. Specifically, an understanding of basics nomenclature, concepts and tools used by your architectural teammates. Fluency in the thermal domain. Specifically, an understanding of component cooling techniques, when components require cooling and what information your thermal engineering teammate needs during concept assessment. Desired Traits & Skills Strategic thinker with system-level ownership mindset Familiarity with system-level architecture Strong leadership and cross‑functional coordination skills Comfortable working in fast‑paced, cross‑functional, global teams Proactive, self‑driven, with high adaptability Clear technical communicator, able to present trade‑offs and justify proposals Capable of NRE estimation and abstract requirement hardening Fluent in English; able to work with global teams and customers Education & Experience Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred) 15+ years of experience in data center system/server architecture Demonstrated experience leading concept‑phase architecture for AI/server products #J-18808-Ljbffr