Senior Principal Hardware Systems Engineer

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.Role OverviewThe explosive growth of AI workloads is fundamentally reshaping how server platforms are designed — demanding unprecedented bandwidth, accelerator density, and intelligent connectivity at every layer of the stack. Astera Labs is powering this transformation with purpose-built connectivity solutions that enable the world's most advanced AI and cloud infrastructure, and we need exceptional hardware systems engineers to help architect what comes next.The AI Platform Solutions Group is seeking a Senior Principal Hardware Systems Engineer to lead the architecture and delivery of high-performance compute platforms with deep focus on PCIe subsystem design, GPU/accelerator integration, high-speed Ethernet networking, and system-level platform development. You will own the end-to-end system design from architecture definition through bring-up and validation, working at the critical intersection of compute, networking, storage, and Astera Labs' connectivity portfolio — including our PCIe retimers, switches, and fabric controllers.This role combines hands-on engineering depth with system-level architectural thinking. You will drive complex platform development across hardware, firmware, and system management domains while collaborating with silicon vendors, hyperscalers, and cross-functional engineering teams. If you want to architect the AI platforms that are defining the future of data center compute, this is your opportunity.Key ResponsibilitiesSystem Architecture & PCIe Platform DesignLead system architecture and design for high-performance compute platforms optimized for AI and accelerator-driven workloadsDesign and integrate PCIe-based subsystems including GPU, accelerator, and high-speed I/O components leveraging PCIe Gen5/6 technologiesDefine and implement GPU-enabled server platforms for AI training, inference, and HPC workloadsArchitect and optimize high-speed Ethernet networking interfaces (25G/100G/400G+) within platform designsHardware Development & ValidationDrive system-level integration across compute, networking, and storage subsystemsDevelop and validate FPGA-based solutions for system control, monitoring, and accelerationLead system bring-up, debug, and validation in lab environmentsTroubleshoot complex hardware and performance issues across high-speed signaling, power, thermal, and interconnect domainsPlatform Management & Cross-Functional LeadershipDefine and implement platform management solutions including BMC integration, telemetry, health monitoring, and system-level diagnosticsCollaborate with cross-functional teams spanning hardware, firmware, BIOS, and OS to ensure seamless platform integrationPartner with silicon vendors, OEMs, and hyperscalers on custom platform development aligned with Astera Labs' connectivity ecosystemDrive performance optimization across PCIe topology, accelerator interconnects, and memory subsystemsBasic QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field12+ years of experience in hardware engineering, system design, or platform architectureStrong expertise in PCIe architecture and subsystem designHands-on experience with GPU integration and accelerator-based system developmentExperience with high-speed Ethernet networking architecture (10G/25G/100G or higher)Hands-on experience with FPGA design including architecture, simulation, and validationProven experience with system bring-up, hardware debugging, and platform validationSolid understanding of high-speed signaling, interconnects, power, and thermal optimizationExperience with system management frameworks (BMC, telemetry, monitoring)Preferred QualificationsMaster's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related fieldExperience in AI/ML infrastructure, GPU clusters, or hyperscale data center server platformsKnowledge of PCIe Gen5/Gen6, RDMA, RoCE, or similar high-performance networking technologiesExperience with custom platform development or customer-specific hardware designsFamiliarity with Astera Labs' connectivity solutions (retimers, switches, fabric controllers) or similar high-speed interconnect productsExperience working with global hardware development teamsEx