Hardware Engineering Technical Lead (AI)

TL;DR

Hardware Engineering Technical Lead (AI): Leading the integration of OEM and white-label HPC hardware into AI cloud reference architectures with an accent on New Product Introduction (NPI), system bring-up, and hardware risk mitigation. Focus on scaling gigawatt-scale AI factories, optimizing liquid cooling, and managing complex BOM structures for high-performance compute.

Location: Hybrid (San Jose, CA) — Presence in the San Jose office is required 4 days per week

Salary: $255,000 – $340,000

Company

Lambda is a leader in AI cloud infrastructure providing superintelligence compute power to researchers and enterprises.

What you will do

• Serve as the technical lead for integrating OEM and white-label HPC AI/ML, compute, storage, and network hardware into reference architectures.
• Drive the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) process, including system bring-up, documentation, and vendor engagement.
• Identify, debug, and resolve hardware issues across electrical, thermal, mechanical, and power domains.
• Translate platform blueprints into concrete hardware selections and system configurations in partnership with architects.
• Own hardware platforms through NPI, managing execution risks to ensure production schedules are met.
• Collaborate with supply chain, quality, and fleet reliability teams to evaluate vendors and improve product quality at scale.

Requirements

• 5+ years of technical lead experience in hardware NPI and deployment for HPC, data center, or cloud infrastructure.
• Deep hands-on experience with AI/ML, general compute (x86/ARM), storage systems, or network switches.
• Broad domain knowledge in electrical, thermal, mechanical, power, signal integrity, or reliability engineering.
• Must be based in or able to work from the San Jose office 4 days per week.
• Experience with PLM systems and BOM structures.
• Ability to perform hands-on hardware bring-up and prototyping in lab environments.

Nice to have

• 10+ years of technical lead experience in HPC or cloud infrastructure.
• Experience supporting accelerated compute hardware from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
• Expertise in rack-scale server development and liquid cooling designs.
• Familiarity with BMC/BIOS/Network configuration and automation.
• Background in performance tuning, benchmarking, and systems validation.

Culture & Benefits

• Generous cash and equity compensation.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• 401k Plan with 2% company match for USA employees.
• Flexible paid time off plan.
• Wellness and commuter stipends for select roles.