Principal Firmware Architect - Hyperscale & AI Rack-Based Compute Systems

ZT Group Intl, Inc. dba ZT Systems; Georgetown (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Annual bonus eligibility

401(k) retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Job summary

ZT Group Int’l. is seeking a Principal Firmware Architect to design server and rack-level firmware for hyperscale environments. You will work directly with customers and partners to solve complex challenges and provide technical leadership across engineering, management, and business teams.

You will drive firmware strategy, collaborate on architectures for compute/storage products, and lead security reviews while engaging in industry forums to influence next-generation designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in EE/CS with strong firmware background.
• Experience with AMI/OpenBMC-based BMC firmware and UEFI BIOS development.
• Knowledge of security protocols and secure design principles.
• Experience with multiple operating systems and device drivers.

Responsibilities

• Architect long-term hyperscale server firmware and security strategies.
• Develop, test, and optimize firmware for hyperscale compute/storage products.
• Collaborate with customers on new firmware architectures for servers and add-on cards.
• Drive internal and external adoption of firmware development strategies.
• Lead security reviews and ensure industry standard compliance.

Skills

AMI BMC FW

OpenBMC FW

UEFI FW

Security protocols

OS/drivers

Intel/AMD/ARM/GPU architecture

BMC functionality and telemetry

Windows Server & Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science (preferred)

Tools

DMTF Redfish

Job description

About the Role

The Principal Firmware Architect will be responsible for architecting server and rack‑level solutions for customers in the cloud computing and hyperscale industry. This role includes working directly with customers and core technology partners to understand and solve technical challenges, as well as providing technical leadership and guidance to internal engineering, management, and business teams.

What You’ll Do

• Develop long‑term hyperscale server firmware and security technology strategies based on customer needs.
• Develop, test, debug, and optimize firmware for ZT hyperscale compute/storage products and proof of concepts.
• Drive adoption of firmware development strategies internally and externally.
• Collaborate directly with customers on new firmware architectures for compute servers, storage servers, and add‑on cards.
• Solve performance and operational challenges to deliver business value through ZT firmware.
• Contribute firmware and security content to System Architecture Specifications for ZT server products.
• Build long‑term technical relationships within the firmware technology ecosystem to influence next‑generation server design.
• Align with customers and partners on security requirements and guide ZT engineering teams accordingly.
• Participate in in‑depth security reviews and drive compliance with industry standards.
• Engage in industry forums, workgroups, and consortiums related to firmware and security initiatives.

What You Bring

• Proficiency in one or more of the following: AMI BMC FW, OpenBMC FW, HP iLO, Dell iDRAC, UEFI FW (BIOS).
• Experience with DMTF standards such as MCTP, NC‑SI, PLDM, OVF, Redfish, SPDM.
• Knowledge of security protocols, Root of Trust, and secure design principles.
• Experience with operating systems and driver design/usage.
• Strong background in Intel/AMD/ARM/GPU platform architectures.
• Strong understanding of Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) functionality, telemetry, and controls.
• Working knowledge of server operating systems including Windows Server (2016, 2019, 2022) and Linux (CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, SUSE).
• Knowledge of virtualization technologies (VMware, Citrix, Microsoft).
• Understanding of software driver implementation, IP schemas, and network protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies.

Competencies

• Ability to innovate and develop intellectual property.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to author technical papers and present at industry forums and consortiums.
• Capability to lead prototyping and proof‑of‑concept development for new technologies.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science (preferred).

Experience

• 12+ years of direct industry experience (10+ years with MS or 9+ years with PhD).
• Background as a Software/Firmware Architect focused on UEFI firmware, BMC firmware, and OS/drivers, including:
  • Experience coding for AMI and/or OpenBMC‑based BMC firmware.
  • Experience with DMTF Redfish.
  • Experience coding for UEFI firmware (BIOS).
  • Experience with security protocols.
  • Experience with operating systems and driver design/usage.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based annual bonus eligibility
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers
• Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
• Parental leave and family care support programs
• Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities
• Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about

ZT Group Int’l. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the requirements for citizenship, lawful residence, or eligibility for export control licenses as described. Please be aware that certain positions may require the applicant to either be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee, or an asylee, or to be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science and the U.S. Department of Commerce.