Senior Hardware Engineer, Orbital Infrastructure

<div class="content-intro"><p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>About the Company</strong></p> <div class="x_x_Paragraph x_x_SCXW198602660 x_x_BCX0"> <p><span data-contrast="none">Armada is the&nbsp;hyperscaler&nbsp;for the edge, delivering modular AI infrastructure from first deployment to AI factory with speed,&nbsp;scale&nbsp;and sovereignty. Named&nbsp;one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies&nbsp;and&nbsp;to&nbsp;the CNBC Disruptor 50, Armada’s solutions are deployed in over 60 countries globally for organizations ranging from energy to defense.&nbsp;</span> </p> <p><span data-contrast="none">With nearly half a billion dollars in funding, Armada is backed by top investors such as Microsoft (M12), Founders Fund, and BlackRock, and has collaborations and partnerships including NVIDIA, Palantir and Dell Technologies. We are looking for the most brilliant minds in the world to join us.&nbsp;</span> </p> <p><span data-contrast="none">Working at Armada means taking ownership, driving autonomy, and delivering impact. You’ll tackle challenges that haven’t been solved before and help build something transformative from the ground up. What you do here will not only define your career but help further Armada’s mission to bridge the digital divide for customers around the world.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p></div><div class="ATS_htmlPreview"> <div><strong>The Mission</strong></div> <div> <div data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">At Armada, we are building the infrastructure for the next industrial frontier. Our Galleon data centers have already brought AI-grade compute to the world’s most rugged terrestrial environments—from remote mines to offshore platforms. Now, we are looking up. We are building the Orbital Galleon: a modular, high-compute orbital data center designed to process massive data loads in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond.</div> <div>We are seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with over a decade of experience in server-level hardware and data center components to lead the physical design and component strategy of our orbital compute nodes.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>About the role</strong></div> <div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">This is a veteran role focused on the physical architecture of our space-based servers. You won't just be buying servers; you will be designing the "guts" of our orbital assets. You will be responsible for choosing the silicon, designing custom PCBAs for power delivery, and working directly with global component manufacturers to modify terrestrial data center hardware for the rigors of space.</div> <div data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">&nbsp;</div> <div>You will bridge the gap between high-performance "COTS" (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) hardware and the extreme reliability required for an unserviceable orbital environment.</div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p data-start="67" data-end="104">&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Location.&nbsp;</strong><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> Bellevue, WA</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <p><strong>What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)</strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> Component Strategy &amp; 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).</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> 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.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">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.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Thermal &amp; 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.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Hardware Hardening: Lead the "Space-Adaptation" of terrestrial hardware, implementing shielding, structural reinforcements, and conductive cooling paths.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Validation &amp; Qualification: Oversee the hardware testing lifecycle, from initial breadboarding to Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Vibration (Shock/Vibe) qualification.</span></span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></p> <p><strong>US Citizenship</strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> 10+ Years of Experience: Deep hands-on hardware engineering with a focus on server-class hardware, high-performance computing (HPC), or ruggedized electronics</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> Industry Networks: Existing, strong relationships with major semiconductor and data center component vendors.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Server Design Mastery: Expert knowledge of x86/ARM architectures, memory hierarchies, and high-speed interconnects (PCIe, NVMe, Ethernet).</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"> PCBA Design: Proficiency in high-speed PCB design (Altium, Cadence, or Allegro) for power-dense environments.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.</span></span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Spaceflight Heritage: Proven experience designing hardware that has successfully flown and operated in LEO/GEO environments.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Radiation Effects: Expertise in mitigating Single Event Effects (SEE) and Total Ionizing Dose (TID) through hardware-level redundancy and shielding.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Aerospace Integration: Experience interfacing high-compute payloads with standard satellite buses and power systems.</span></span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Environmental Standards: Familiarity with rigorous testing standards for vacuum, thermal, and high-vibration environments (e.g., MIL-STD or equivalent aerospace protocols).</span></span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div> <p><strong>Compensation</strong></p> <p><u>For U.S. Based candidates:</u> 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.</p> <p>In addition to base salary, <em><strong>this role will also be offered equity and subsidized benefits</strong> (</em>details available upon request).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Benefits</strong></p> <ul> <li>Competitive base salary and equity</li> <li>Medical, dental, and vision (subsidized cost)</li> <li>Health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), and dependent care FSAs (DCFSA)</li> <li>Retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Roth 401(k)</li> <li>Unlimited paid time off (PTO)</li> <li>14 paid company holidays per year</li> </ul> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">#LI-ST1</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span data-teams="true">#LI-Hybrid</span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span data-teams="true">#562</span></span></p> </div> </div><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Compensation</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$157,600</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$197,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>You're a Great Fit if You're</strong></p> <ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1"> <li value="1">A go-getter with a growth mindset.&nbsp;You're intellectually curious, have strong business acumen, and actively seek opportunities to build relevant skills and knowledge&nbsp;</li> <li value="2">A detail-oriented problem-solver.&nbsp;You can independently gather information, solve problems efficiently, and deliver results with a "get-it-done" attitude&nbsp;</li> <li value="3">Thrive in a fast-paced environment.&nbsp;You're energized by an entrepreneurial spirit, capable of working quickly, and excited to contribute to a growing company</li> <li value="4">A collaborative team player.&nbsp;You focus on business success and are motivated by team accomplishment vs personal agenda&nbsp;</li> <li value="5">Highly organized and results-driven.&nbsp;Strong prioritization skills and a dedicated work ethic are essential for you&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Equal Opportunity Statement</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Unsolicited Resumes and Candidates</strong></p> <p><span data-teams="true">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.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div>