What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Hardware Board Desing Engineering position at Astera Labs?

Director of Hardware Board Design Engineering

Astera Labs is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Hardware Board Design Engineering who thrives on taking charge of challenging situations with minimal guidance. This role demands a leader who is adept at strategic oversight and ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into the details when needed. We want to hear from you if you’re driven to elevate hardware board design to the next level and help lead Astera Labs to new heights.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the design of cutting-edge boards that leverage Astera Labs' innovative connectivity and memory products, used by leading cloud service providers, server manufacturers, and network OEMs.
Oversee all phases of the design lifecycle—from initial concept to mass production—ensuring timely delivery and excellence in execution.
Provide hands-on technical support, stepping in to solve complex problems or own projects to maintain momentum and quality.
Collaborate closely with internal teams to drive innovation and refine processes and products based on insights gained during design and development.
Engage directly with customers to understand their needs, propose tailored board solutions, and incorporate feedback into designs that exceed expectations.
Partner with cross-functional manufacturing, thermal, mechanical, and quality teams to ensure holistic and robust board solutions.
Support post-production activities, including troubleshooting and customer support, as necessary.
Foster a culture of excellence and accountability within a talented, high-performing team operating in a fast-paced startup environment.

What We’re Looking For

We need someone who :

Takes ownership and drives initiatives to completion with little oversight.

Is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with tactical execution.

Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and embraces the challenges of a hands-on, entrepreneurial role.

Demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively under pressure.

Inspires and motivates a team to achieve ambitious goals while maintaining a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Master’s preferred).

At least 10 years of experience leading board design teams, with a track record of delivering complex hardware systems from concept to production.

Deep expertise in high-speed board design methodologies, including PCIe add-in cards, networking interconnects, and memory interfaces.

Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Cadence, Altium) and experience with Allegro for design reviews.

Strong power and signal integrity understanding, including designing systems with high-speed NRZ / PAM4 SerDes protocols like PCIe 4.0 / 5.0 / 6.0 and Ethernet 25G / 50G .

Extensive experience in board bring-up, debug, validation, and mass production.

Proven ability to work effectively with contract manufacturers, PCB vendors, and external suppliers.

Exceptional cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a startup environment where adaptability and versatility are crucial.

Familiarity with off-shore contract manufacturing and global supply chains.

Background in designing FPGAs / MCUs and high-speed channels, including IC sockets, connectors, and cables.

Knowledge of adjacent areas such as manufacturing, quality assurance, and compliance.

Strong technical writing skills to create clear and precise documentation for internal and external audiences.

Location and Work Environment

This position is based in Santa Clara, CA , and requires an in-person presence to influence and contribute directly to our global operations. You’ll be part of a rapidly growing organization that values innovation, teamwork, and the drive to deliver industry-leading solutions.

If you’re ready to lead, innovate, and make a significant impact, join us at Astera Labs and help shape the future of hardware board design.

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Director of Hardware Board Desing Engineering

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