Hardware Engineer, System Design

Normal Computing Corporation; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Normal Computing is seeking a Hardware System Design Engineer to lead system architecture for AI compute hardware from initial concept to deployment. You will define requirements, evaluate options, and drive tradeoffs across boards, chassis, interconnects, and rack-scale system design, collaborating with hardware, software, and other teams to meet performance goals.

You’ll translate workload needs into hardware decisions, work with ODMs and suppliers, and own bring-up, integration, validation,

Qualifications

• Significant experience architecting complex compute hardware systems.
• Experience guiding system-level decisions across boards, chassis and racks.
• Proven ability to work with ODMs and suppliers to drive design decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware system architecture from concept through production deployment.
• Translate workload and performance requirements into hardware decisions with cross-functional teams.
• Lead architecture design across boards, chassis, racks, topology, power and networking.
• Define and own bring-up, integration, validation and qualification strategy.

Skills

Hardware architecture

Rack-scale design

Cross-functional collaboration

Specification and bring-up

Education

Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering degree

Job description

Normal Computing | Build with Us

Normal is an applied AI company solving the hardest problems in AI and silicon. We build foundational hardware and software for the semiconductor industry, critical AI infrastructure, and the broader systems that power our world, in partnership with the world's most advanced institutions. We work as one team across New York City, Silicon Valley (Mountain View), London, Copenhagen, and Seoul.

The Role

As a Hardware System Design Engineer, you will lead the system architecture design of Normal’s AI compute hardware end-to-end, from initial concept to specification, design reviews, integration, and deployment. You will guide system-level decisions spanning boards, chassis, interconnects, and rack-scale system design, collaborating closely across hardware, software, and other engineering teams to ensure system designs meet performance and workload requirements.

You’ll define system requirements and specifications, evaluate architectural options, and drive key technical decisions as our hardware platforms evolve. You’ll evaluate partner and vendor designs against our requirements, identify technical gaps and schedule risks early, and lead system-level tradeoffs. You’ll play a central role in bringing these pieces together into cohesive, high-performance AI compute systems and driving the overall system from architecture through deployment.

What You Will Own

• Lead hardware system architecture from initial concept and requirements through design reviews, integration, and production deployment.

• Translate workload and performance requirements into hardware decisions, working closely with cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Lead architecture design across boards, chassis, and racks, including system topology, power, thermal, scale-up and scale-out fabrics, and networking.

• Define and own bring-up, system integration, validation and qualification strategy.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Significant experience architecting complex compute hardware systems, spanning server or machine-level designs through rack-scale platforms

• Experience taking hardware systems from early requirements and architecture through specification, integration, bring-up, validation, and production deployment

• Experience working with ODMs, suppliers, and other hardware partners, including reviewing designs, defining technical requirements, and driving technical issues to resolution

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field

Bonus Points

• Experience designing high-performance AI compute systems at server and rack scale

• Experience bringing novel hardware architectures into production-scale compute systems

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Normal Computing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility Accommodations

Normal Computing is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

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