Sr Director, System Architect (AI)

SBT; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Startup in Austin, TX seeks an Architecture leader to define the overall SoC and system architecture for next-generation CPU and compute-focused silicon products. You will drive 0-to-1 architecture development and collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn concepts into executable silicon roadmaps.

This role offers influence on product development from early stages and opportunities to shape foundational technology, with leadership spanning performance modeling through silicon

Qualifications

• Experience in SoC, CPU, accelerator, or system architecture, with demonstrated technical leadership on complex silicon programs.
• Proven ownership of multiple chip development cycles from initial concept and architecture through tape-out, bring-up, and production readiness.
• Strong 0-to-1 product development experience, including defining a new architecture, establishing requirements, and driving execution from a blank-sheet design.
• Deep understanding of SoC integration, memory hierarchy, interconnects, compute subsystems, power management, and hardware/software interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Define the overall SoC and system architecture for next-generation CPU and compute-focused silicon products
• Drive 0-to-1 architecture development, transforming early product concepts into executable silicon roadmaps, system specifications, and implementation plans.
• Lead architectural tradeoff analysis across performance, power, area, memory, interconnect, and scalability
• Translate product requirements into system specifications, subsystem definitions, and clear hardware interfaces
• Partner with CPU, SoC, RTL, verification, software, and physical design teams throughout the development lifecycle
• Provide technical leadership from early architecture and performance modeling through implementation, validation, and silicon bring-up

Skills

SoC architecture

CPU architecture

Silicon development

Technical leadership

Job description

SBT is the exclusive executive recruiting firm for this confidential position.

This confidential startup company is developing next-gen compute silicon, designed to advance AI high-performance computing. Led by seasoned semiconductor and technology executives, the company is building highly scalable SoC products focused on delivering significant improvements in performance, efficiency, and system-level capability. This Architecture leadership role offers the opportunity to contribute to foundational technology, influence product development from an early-stage, and help shape the future of advanced computing.

Role

• Define the overall SoC and system architecture for next-generation CPU and compute-focused silicon products
• Drive 0-to-1 architecture development, transforming early product concepts into executable silicon roadmaps, system specifications, and implementation plans.
• Lead architectural tradeoff analysis across performance, power, area, memory, interconnect, and scalability
• Translate product requirements into system specifications, subsystem definitions, and clear hardware interfaces
• Partner with CPU, SoC, RTL, verification, software, and physical design teams throughout the development lifecycle
• Provide technical leadership from early architecture and performance modeling through implementation, validation, and silicon bring-up

Qualifications

• Experience in SoC, CPU, accelerator, or system architecture, with demonstrated technical leadership on complex silicon programs.
• Proven ownership of multiple chip development cycles from initial concept and architecture through tape-out, bring-up, and production readiness.
• Strong 0-to-1 product development experience, including defining a new architecture, establishing requirements, and driving execution from a blank-sheet design.
• Deep understanding of SoC integration, memory hierarchy, interconnects, compute subsystems, power management, and hardware/software interfaces.