Senior Staff or Principal System Architect

TDK; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

401(k)

pension

life insurance

vacation

tuition reimbursement

work from home stipend

13 paid holidays

Job summary

TDK U.S.A. Corporation seeks a Principal System Architect to lead the end-to-end architecture of next-generation Physical AI platforms.

You will define architectures spanning silicon, hardware, embedded and cloud software, AI/ML models, and actuation/control, guiding decisions from concept to commercialization. The role requires bridging silicon, hardware, software, and robotics disciplines, with leadership across multidisciplinary teams to deliver scalable, commercially successful products.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience architecting complex embedded and intelligent systems.
• Demonstrated success delivering commercial products from concept to production.
• Deep understanding of system architecture spanning silicon, hardware and software.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture for Physical AI, robotics, and intelligent sensing platforms.
• Drive architecture analysis and tradeoffs across compute, power, performance, cost, reliability, and scalability.
• Coordinate cross-functional design across silicon, hardware, embedded and cloud software, and AI/ML algorithms and models.
• Lead architecture reviews, functionality splits, interface definitions, and system integration efforts.
• Collaborate with global engineering teams, customers, and strategic technology partners.

Skills

SoC architecture

Embedded Linux

AI/ML algorithms

Robotics

Cloud connectivity

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field

Tools

RTOS

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

TDK U.S.A. Corporation is the Regional Headquarters for the Americas of TDK Corporation, a global electronics company based in Japan, and publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. TDK focuses on the demanding markets of information and communication technology, internet of things, and automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. TDK's comprehensive product portfolio features electronic components, sensors, power supplies, energy devices, and more. TDK has a network of design, manufacturing, and sales locations in Asia, Europe and the Americas, with global revenues of more than $12 billion. TDK employs more than 113,000 people worldwide, including more than 4,500 in North and South America.

TDK USA Corporation is seeking an exceptional Principal System Architect to lead the architecture of next-generation Physical AI platforms. This role will define end-to-end system architectures spanning silicon and hardware, sensors, embedded and cloud software, AI/ML algorithms/models, actuation/control. As a technical leader across multidisciplinary teams, you will drive architectural decisions from concept through commercialization and help shape TDK's longer-term technology strategy.

We are looking for a systems thinker who can bridge silicon, hardware, software, AI/ML, and robotics disciplines to create innovative, scalable platforms. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership and excels at turning complex ideas into commercially successful products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define system architecture for Physical AI, robotics, and intelligent sensing platforms.
• Drive architecture analysis and tradeoffs across compute, power, performance, cost, reliability, and scalability.
• Coordinate cross-functional design across silicon, hardware, embedded and cloud software, and AI/ML algorithms and models.
• Lead architecture reviews, functionality splits, interface definitions, and system integration efforts.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and guide technology roadmaps.
• Collaborate with global engineering teams, customers, and strategic technology partners.

REQUIREMENTS and SKILLS

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience architecting complex embedded and intelligent systems.
• Demonstrated success delivering commercial products from concept to production.
• Deep understanding of system architecture spanning silicon, hardware and software.
• Expertise in several of the following areas:
• SoC architecture, CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, MCUs, and embedded processors
• Electronics, sensors, power optimization, and hardware integration
• Embedded Linux, RTOS, software development
• AI and ML algorithm/model development
• Robotics, motion control, and autonomous systems
• Cloud connectivity, IoT, security, and distributed systems

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

TDK U.S.A. offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• medical
• dental
• 401(k)
• pension
• life insurance
• vacation
• tuition reimbursement
• work from home stipend
• 13 paid holidays

The starting annual base pay for this role is between $145,000 and $220,000. The actual base is dependent upon many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, market demands, location (San Jose or San Diego, CA). The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.