Staff Engineer - Circuit Design

About Us
Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us.
In just three years, we have raised a total of $120 million and have built a world-class team of 180+ employees (including 55+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 11 different countries and with offices in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
We have also launched our Metis AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.
Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer.
Are you up for the challenge?

Position Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of state-of-the-art computer boards that push the boundaries of technology. As a Staff Circuit Designer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our products, focusing on ARM and x86-based architectures.
This position requires a visionary leader with deep technical expertise to drive innovation, provide strategic leadership, and mentor team members, while executing hands-on design responsibilities.
You will contribute directly to defining and realizing cutting-edge solutions that are central to our product portfolio, all within a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities:


System Architecture Leadership:
Spearhead the definition of high-performance system architectures for ARM and x86-based computer boards, ensuring alignment with project goals and technical requirements. Drive technology decisions to achieve competitive product differentiation.
Schematic Design Oversight:
Translate architectural concepts into detailed circuit schematics. Guide and collaborate with team members, suppliers, and other departments to deliver accurate, reliable, and innovative designs while ensuring compliance with industry and regulatory standards.
Advanced Design support:
Co-work with Layout and Thermal engineers to optimize complex circuit board layouts, addressing key factors such as power integrity, signal integrity, thermal performance, and manufacturing constraints. Partner with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless integration.
Strategic Component Selection:
Evaluate and select optimal components, including voltage regulators, microprocessors, memories, interfaces, and peripherals, balancing performance, cost, and availability. Negotiate with suppliers and maintain awareness of supply chain dynamics.
Comprehensive Design Verification:
Conduct power and signal integrity simulations, and validation of circuit designs to ensure functionality, performance, and reliability. Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action for design challenges.
Technical Leadership and Mentorship:
Act as a technical leader and mentor for the design team, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of innovation. Collaborate cross-functionally with silicon R&D, software developers, mechanical, thermal engineers, and product managers to drive cohesive product development.
Documentation and Reporting:
Develop thorough and accessible design documentation, including technical specifications, test plans, and evaluation reports. Present technical concepts, progress, and results to both internal stakeholders and external customers.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
Maintain an active understanding of emerging technologies in computer board design, ARM/x86 architectures, and advanced circuit methodologies. Propose and implement strategies for innovation and product differentiation.
Prototyping and Validation:
Design prototypes and technical Proof of Concept (PoC) through Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), contributing to the validation of architectural concepts and enhancing internal expertise.

Qualifications:


Education:
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience:


10+ years of hands-on experience in circuit design, with a proven track record of leading designs in ARM and x86-based computer boards.
Demonstrated ability to deliver complex, high-performance products to market.

Technical Expertise:


Mastery of hardware and layout design tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Siemens Xpedition.
Strong expertise in signal integrity and power integrity, with hands-on experience using simulation tools like Siemens HyperLynx and Keysight ADS.
Proven ability in hardware and layout design for effective thermal management. Extensive knowledge of microprocessors, memory modules, interfaces, and other components used in computer board designs.
Proven capability in design for testability (DFT) and design for manufacturability (DFM).
Hands-on experience with electronics lab tools, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, and soldering stations.
Expertise in understanding industry standards, with capability in designing to ensure compliance with EMC and safety requirements.
Problem-Solving Skills:
Proven ability to debug and resolve complex circuit design issues effectively.

Leadership and Communication:


Self-motivated and highly organized, with the ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively.
Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and foster technical growth within the organization. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interface effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Adaptability:


Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Skilled in working within distributed organizations and fostering effective team collaboration.
Language skills:
Proficiency in both spoken and written English.

Location
This position is based in Italy & we support relocation to Bologna, Florence or Milan for talent based abroad and interested in this role.
Please note that we are unable to sponsor visas for the relocation at this time.

What We offer
This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.
An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team.

At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.
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