thrively
Lead Hardware Engineer, Digital & Embedded Systems
thrively, Santa Clara, California, us, 95053
Lead Hardware Engineer, Digital & Embedded Systems
About the Opportunity
Thrively is partnering with a well‑funded, next‑generation hardware startup developing breakthrough optical and compute‑infrastructure technologies for hyperscale AI/ML data centers. Our client’s platform integrates advanced MEMS, silicon photonics, ASICs, and embedded systems into a radically new hardware architecture. They are backed by top‑tier investors and are building technology that will reshape data‑center‑scale networking for years to come.
We’re looking for a Lead Hardware Engineer to own digital board design, embedded control systems, and system‑level hardware development for their next‑gen platform. This is a hands‑on, architecture + design + bring‑up role in a fast‑moving startup environment.
What You’ll Own Digital Board & Embedded Control Systems
Architect, design, and validate complex digital & mixed‑signal PCBs for high‑reliability environments
Develop embedded control systems using microcontrollers/processors, including redundant controller architectures
Design and integrate memory subsystems (DDR, Flash, SRAM), plus power sequencing, resets, clocks
Implement high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, SERDES, Ethernet, I2C/SPI, GMII, etc.)
Own schematic capture, system bring‑up, debugging, and cross‑functional integration
FPGA & Digital Logic Integration
Implement supporting FPGA logic for system integration or interface glue
Write and maintain RTL (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog) where needed
Support synthesis, timing closure, simulation, and prototype bring‑up
System Debug, Validation & Automation
Debug across digital, firmware, and interface layers
Use scopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to validate functionality
Build automated validation test setups (Python / LabVIEW ideal)
Manufacturing & Reliability Support
Drive DFT/DFM alignment with manufacturing & test teams
Improve board‑level test procedures, boundary scan, and programming flows
What We’re Looking For
Bachelor’s or Master’s in EE, CE, or equivalent
8+ years of hands‑on digital board + embedded system design experience
Strong experience with microcontrollers/processors, memory systems, and power management
Deep familiarity with high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, SERDES, DDR, Ethernet)
Skilled in schematic capture, PCB bring‑up, and lab debug tools
Excellent cross‑disciplinary communication and documentation skills
Bonus Skills (Nice to Have)
Strong FPGA background (Xilinx / Intel)
Signal/power integrity analysis (HyperLynx, Sigrity, ADS)
Hardware automation or scripting (Python, LabVIEW)
Experience with optical/photonics hardware
Background in data‑center, telecom, HPC, or high‑reliability systems
Compensation Base: $220,000–$280,000 per year. Compensation depends on experience, seniority, and technical depth.
Why This Role Matters This is a chance to design the digital/embedded architecture behind a category‑defining hardware platform in the AI/ML infrastructure world. You’ll work alongside leaders in ASIC development, photonics, MEMS, packaging, and systems engineering — and own some of the most critical control‑plane hardware in the company.
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
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Thrively is partnering with a well‑funded, next‑generation hardware startup developing breakthrough optical and compute‑infrastructure technologies for hyperscale AI/ML data centers. Our client’s platform integrates advanced MEMS, silicon photonics, ASICs, and embedded systems into a radically new hardware architecture. They are backed by top‑tier investors and are building technology that will reshape data‑center‑scale networking for years to come.
We’re looking for a Lead Hardware Engineer to own digital board design, embedded control systems, and system‑level hardware development for their next‑gen platform. This is a hands‑on, architecture + design + bring‑up role in a fast‑moving startup environment.
What You’ll Own Digital Board & Embedded Control Systems
Architect, design, and validate complex digital & mixed‑signal PCBs for high‑reliability environments
Develop embedded control systems using microcontrollers/processors, including redundant controller architectures
Design and integrate memory subsystems (DDR, Flash, SRAM), plus power sequencing, resets, clocks
Implement high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, SERDES, Ethernet, I2C/SPI, GMII, etc.)
Own schematic capture, system bring‑up, debugging, and cross‑functional integration
FPGA & Digital Logic Integration
Implement supporting FPGA logic for system integration or interface glue
Write and maintain RTL (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog) where needed
Support synthesis, timing closure, simulation, and prototype bring‑up
System Debug, Validation & Automation
Debug across digital, firmware, and interface layers
Use scopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to validate functionality
Build automated validation test setups (Python / LabVIEW ideal)
Manufacturing & Reliability Support
Drive DFT/DFM alignment with manufacturing & test teams
Improve board‑level test procedures, boundary scan, and programming flows
What We’re Looking For
Bachelor’s or Master’s in EE, CE, or equivalent
8+ years of hands‑on digital board + embedded system design experience
Strong experience with microcontrollers/processors, memory systems, and power management
Deep familiarity with high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, SERDES, DDR, Ethernet)
Skilled in schematic capture, PCB bring‑up, and lab debug tools
Excellent cross‑disciplinary communication and documentation skills
Bonus Skills (Nice to Have)
Strong FPGA background (Xilinx / Intel)
Signal/power integrity analysis (HyperLynx, Sigrity, ADS)
Hardware automation or scripting (Python, LabVIEW)
Experience with optical/photonics hardware
Background in data‑center, telecom, HPC, or high‑reliability systems
Compensation Base: $220,000–$280,000 per year. Compensation depends on experience, seniority, and technical depth.
Why This Role Matters This is a chance to design the digital/embedded architecture behind a category‑defining hardware platform in the AI/ML infrastructure world. You’ll work alongside leaders in ASIC development, photonics, MEMS, packaging, and systems engineering — and own some of the most critical control‑plane hardware in the company.
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
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