Senior Principal Hardware Systems Engineer

Role Overview

The explosive growth of AI workloads is fundamentally reshaping how server platforms are designed — demanding unprecedented bandwidth, accelerator density, and intelligent connectivity at every layer of the stack. Astera Labs is powering this transformation with purpose-built connectivity solutions that enable the world's most advanced AI and cloud infrastructure, and we need exceptional hardware systems engineers to help architect what comes next.

The AI Platform Solutions Group is seeking a Senior Principal Hardware Systems Engineer to lead the architecture and delivery of high-performance compute platforms with deep focus on PCIe subsystem design, GPU/accelerator integration, high-speed Ethernet networking, and system-level platform development. You will own the end-to-end system design from architecture definition through bring-up and validation, working at the critical intersection of compute, networking, storage, and Astera Labs' connectivity portfolio — including our PCIe retimers, switches, and fabric controllers.

This role combines hands-on engineering depth with system-level architectural thinking. You will drive complex platform development across hardware, firmware, and system management domains while collaborating with silicon vendors, hyperscalers, and cross-functional engineering teams. If you want to architect the AI platforms that are defining the future of data center compute, this is your opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & PCIe Platform Design

• Lead system architecture and design for high-performance compute platforms optimized for AI and accelerator-driven workloads
• Design and integrate PCIe-based subsystems including GPU, accelerator, and high-speed I/O components leveraging PCIe Gen5/6 technologies
• Define and implement GPU-enabled server platforms for AI training, inference, and HPC workloads
• Architect and optimize high-speed Ethernet networking interfaces (25G/100G/400G+) within platform designs

Hardware Development & Validation

• Drive system-level integration across compute, networking, and storage subsystems
• Develop and validate FPGA-based solutions for system control, monitoring, and acceleration
• Lead system bring-up, debug, and validation in lab environments
• Troubleshoot complex hardware and performance issues across high-speed signaling, power, thermal, and interconnect domains

Platform Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Define and implement platform management solutions including BMC integration, telemetry, health monitoring, and system-level diagnostics
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams spanning hardware, firmware, BIOS, and OS to ensure seamless platform integration
• Partner with silicon vendors, OEMs, and hyperscalers on custom platform development aligned with Astera Labs' connectivity ecosystem
• Drive performance optimization across PCIe topology, accelerator interconnects, and memory subsystems

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 12+ years of experience in hardware engineering, system design, or platform architecture
• Strong expertise in PCIe architecture and subsystem design
• Hands-on experience with GPU integration and accelerator-based system development
• Experience with high-speed Ethernet networking architecture (10G/25G/100G or higher)
• Hands-on experience with FPGA design including architecture, simulation, and validation
• Proven experience with system bring-up, hardware debugging, and platform validation
• Solid understanding of high-speed signaling, interconnects, power, and thermal optimization
• Experience with system management frameworks (BMC, telemetry, monitoring)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in AI/ML infrastructure, GPU clusters, or hyperscale data center server platforms
• Knowledge of PCIe Gen5/Gen6, RDMA, RoCE, or similar high-performance networking technologies
• Experience with custom platform development or customer-specific hardware designs
• Familiarity with Astera Labs' connectivity solutions (retimers, switches, fabric controllers) or similar high-speed interconnect products
• Experience working with global hardware development teams
• Exposure to platform lifecycle management and fleet-level system diagnostics