VP of HW Systems Engineering

Location: San Jose, CA, us

Company Description

Axiado is an AI-enhanced security processor company redefining the control and management of every digital system. The company was founded in 2017, and currently has 100+ employees. At Axiado, developing great technology takes more than talent: it takes amazing people who understand collaboration, respect each other, and go the extra mile to achieve exceptional results. It takes people who have the passion and desire to disrupt the status quo, deliver innovation, and change the world. If you have this type of passion, we invite you to apply for this job.

Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking an agile, results-driven VP of HW Systems Engineering to lead our hardware organization. In this highly visible role, you will own the hardware product lifecycle from concept to high-volume production for the Axiado Trusted Control/Compute Unit (TCU) products. This role requires an executive with elite, hands-on design and debugging capabilities who thrives in the lab and effectively navigates dynamic, supply-chain-constrained environments. You will manage senior engineers and contractors, help customers build secure server infrastructure, and champion open hardware ecosystems like the Open Compute Project (OCP).

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Execution: Drive TCU-based embedded systems from initial concept through high-volume production with active, hands-on daily execution.
• Mass Production & Yield: Take complex boards to mass production while optimizing DFM/DFT, factory test coverage, and production yields.
• Sustaining & RMA Support: Oversee the technical resolution of customer field returns, driving Failure Analysis (FA) and corrective actions to improve reliability.
• Root-Cause Triage: Partner with cross-company ASIC, silicon, firmware, and software teams to systematically isolate and resolve complex system bugs.
• Lab Validation: Personally lead first-silicon and platform bring-up, low-level bus validation, and EVT/DVT testing in the lab.
• OCP & Industry Forums: Integrate OCP DC-SCM standards and represent the company within OCP and other industry hardware forums.
• Supply Chain Agility: Pivot board layouts responsively based on real-time parts availability and manage critical tier-1 supplier relationships.
• Design & Review: Drive schematic development in Cadence OrCAD and collaborate with Layout, Mechanical, and SI engineers to meet OCP DC-SCM and NVIDIA IFF form factors.

Qualifications

• Experience & Education: 20+ years of hardware engineering experience with a leadership track record in server, data center, or semiconductor ecosystems. B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering (EE).
• Production Track Record: Proven history of taking complex board designs to high-volume production with excellent yields and resolving field RMA issues.
• Hands-on Technical Mastery: Deep, continuous experience with circuit design, schematic capture, laboratory equipment, and platform troubleshooting.
• DC-SCM & Ecosystem Expertise: Strong knowledge of OCP DC-SCM standard solutions (DC-SCI interface, form factors) and a solid network across hyperscaler and OEM partners.
• Supply Chain Agility: Demonstrated capability to execute rapid hardware redesigns, footprint compatibility strategies, and alternative component sourcing.
• Tool & Interface Proficiency: Expert familiarity with Cadence OrCAD/Allegro and server interfaces (PCIe, USB, I2C, SMBus, SPI, UART, USB, MCTP, eSPI, LTPI).
• Architecture & Software Knowledge: Solid understanding of modern CPU/GPU architectures and the Linux environment (including Python or Bash scripting).
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to articulate hardware-anchored security and supply chain strategy to enterprise stakeholders.

Additional Information

Axiado is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the highest caliber talent in a diverse and multifaceted environment. We are headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, with access to the world's leading research, technology and talent.

We are building an exceptional team to secure every node on the internet. For us, solving real-world problems takes precedence over purely theoretical problems. As a result, we prefer individuals with persistence, intelligence and high curiosity over pedigree alone. Working hard and smart, continuous learning and mutual support are all part of who we are.

Axiado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Axiado does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.