Platform Architect

Etched • San Jose, CA

3d • $150,000 - $275,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Etched is building the world’s first AI inference system purpose-built for transformers - delivering over 10x higher performance and dramatically lower cost and latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history. Job Summary As a Platform Architect , you will lead the definition and realization of our AI server platform architecture, from server board design to rack-level integration and multi-rack POD-scale system orchestration. This is a hands-on technical leadership role that requires deep expertise in PCIe and fabric topologies, power and thermal constraints, system controls, and high-speed networking. Key responsibilities will include creating advanced new platform architecture for next generation Sohu AI servers as part of a future new product development roadmap. You will collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, mechanical, thermal, firmware, and operations teams to architect systems that scale from a single server to full-rack and multi-rack POD deployments.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in system or server hardware architecture, ideally in HPC, AI infrastructure, or hyperscale data centers
• Deep understanding of PCIe protocols and topologies, including bifurcation, retimer tuning, switch fabrics, and accelerator communication
• Experience with rack-level and multi-rack system design, including shared power and networking infrastructure
• Strong expertise in BMC systems, control buses, telemetry integration, and orchestration tooling
• Familiarity with modern high-speed networking technologies: 400G Ethernet, InfiniBand, CXL fabrics, and NIC-switch integration
• Proven background in power architecture for dense compute systems, including power budgeting, sequencing logic, and VRM optimization
• Rack-level management infrastructure design experience, including CDU layout, telemetry aggregation, and rack controller implementation
• Proven track record of building infrastructure for at-scale deployment, such as automated diagnostics, health monitoring, and fleet orchestration frameworks
• Understanding of thermal design principles such as airflow, heatsink selection, and liquid cooling systems
• A systems-level perspective with the ability to design scalable, maintainable, and high-performance platforms
• Excellent communication skills and experience collaborating with hardware, firmware, validation, and mechanical engineering teams

Responsibilities

• Architect the end-to-end hardware system stack, including server-level components, rack-scale systems, and multi-rack POD designs optimized for AI and high-performance workloads
• Design and implement advanced PCIe Gen5/Gen6 topologies: root complex architecture, retimer placement, switch hierarchy, and accelerator fan-out strategies
• Define scalable BMC architecture and platform management features across fleet deployments, including telemetry pipelines, orchestration hooks, and API integrations (e.g., Redfish, IPMI)
• Specify and lead the implementation of chip-to-chip interconnects such as NVLink, UCIe, and other emerging high-bandwidth, low-latency fabrics
• Develop integration strategies for power distribution, control planes, cooling systems (air and liquid), and shared interconnect fabrics at the rack level
• Own the networking architecture across servers and racks, including 400G/800G Ethernet, leaf-spine switching, NIC-to-ToR planning, and cross-rack topology
• Specify power delivery systems for high-density, multi-kilowatt platforms: VRM selection, power trees, sequencing, and protection logic
• Guide system design decisions with awareness of mechanical and thermal constraints to ensure performance, manufacturability, and serviceability
• Contribute to rack-level management infrastructure: CDU planning, telemetry aggregation, rack controller architecture, and out-of-band control
• Support bring-up and validation teams in debugging complex issues at the system, rack, and POD levels

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision packages, with generous premium coverage
• Housing subsidy of $2,000/month for those living within walking distance of the office
• Daily lunch and dinner in our office
• Relocation support for those moving to West San Jose

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees