Senior Hardware Engineer, Orbital Infrastructure
Armada
About the Company
Armada is an edge computing startup that provides computing infrastructure to remote areas where connectivity and cloud infrastructure is limited, as well as areas where data needs to be processed locally for real-time analytics and AI at the edge. We’re looking to bring on the most brilliant minds to help further our mission of bridging the digital divide with advanced technology infrastructure that can be rapidly deployed anywhere.
Location. San Francisco, CA, Bellevue, WA, or Remote (USA)
What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)
- Component Strategy & Architecture: Lead the selection of CPUs, GPUs, and high-density NVMe storage. Evaluate silicon based on performance-per-watt and inherent radiation susceptibility (TID/SEE).
- Custom Server Design: Architect custom server sleds and high-speed backplanes. Ensure signal integrity for PCIe Gen 5/6 and CXL links in a compact form factor optimized for a satellite bus.
- Manufacturer Collaboration: Act as the primary technical point of contact for Tier 1 component vendors. Work with their engineering teams to deep-dive into firmware and hardware-level modifications for orbital stability.
- Thermal & Mechanical Integration: Design conduction-based cooling solutions and the use of Phase Change Materials (PCM) or advanced heat pipes for heat dissipation in the absence of air.
- Hardware Hardening: Lead the "Space-Adaptation" of terrestrial hardware, implementing shielding, structural reinforcements, and conductive cooling paths.
- Validation & Qualification: Oversee the hardware testing lifecycle, from initial breadboarding to Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Vibration (Shock/Vibe) qualification.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ Years of Experience: Deep hands-on hardware engineering with a focus on server-class hardware, high-performance computing (HPC), or ruggedized electronics
- Industry Networks: Existing, strong relationships with major semiconductor and data center component vendors.
- Server Design Mastery: Expert knowledge of x86/ARM architectures, memory hierarchies, and high-speed interconnects (PCIe, NVMe, Ethernet).
- PCBA Design: Proficiency in high-speed PCB design (Altium, Cadence, or Allegro) for power-dense environments.
- Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Spaceflight Heritage: Proven experience designing hardware that has successfully flown and operated in LEO/GEO environments.
- Radiation Effects: Expertise in mitigating Single Event Effects (SEE) and Total Ionizing Dose (TID) through hardware-level redundancy and shielding.
- Aerospace Integration: Experience interfacing high-compute payloads with standard satellite buses and power systems.
- Environmental Standards: Familiarity with rigorous testing standards for vacuum, thermal, and high-vibration environments (e.g., MIL-STD or equivalent aerospace protocols).
Compensation
For U.S. Based candidates: To ensure fairness and transparency, the starting base salary range for this role for candidates in the U.S. are listed below, varying based on location experience, skills, and qualifications.
In addition to base salary, this role will also be offered equity and subsidized benefits (details available upon request).
Benefits
- Competitive base salary and equity
- Medical, dental, and vision (subsidized cost)
- Health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), and dependent care FSAs (DCFSA)
- Retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Roth 401(k)
- Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
- 15 paid company holidays per year
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You're a Great Fit if You're
- A go-getter with a growth mindset. You're intellectually curious, have strong business acumen, and actively seek opportunities to build relevant skills and knowledge
- A detail-oriented problem-solver. You can independently gather information, solve problems efficiently, and deliver results with a "get-it-done" attitude
- Thrive in a fast-paced environment. You're energized by an entrepreneurial spirit, capable of working quickly, and excited to contribute to a growing company
- A collaborative team player. You focus on business success and are motivated by team accomplishment vs personal agenda
- Highly organized and results-driven. Strong prioritization skills and a dedicated work ethic are essential for you
Equal Opportunity Statement
At Armada, we are committed to fostering a work environment where everyone is given equal opportunities to thrive. As an equal opportunity employer, we strictly prohibit discrimination or harassment based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, and compensation. Our hiring is guided by qualifications, merit, and the business needs at the time.
Unsolicited Resumes and Candidates
Armada does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from external agencies or recruiters. All candidates must apply directly through our careers page. Any resumes submitted by agencies without a prior signed agreement will be considered unsolicited and Armada will not be obligated to pay any fees.