Sr. Hardware Engineer - Interconnects, Annapurna Labs
Annapurna Labs (U.S.) Inc.
Austin, Texas, USA
Austin, Texas, USA
- Engineering
- Full-time
- hardware engineer
- signal integrity
- high-speed connectors
The Senior Hardware Engineer at Annapurna Labs, part of AWS Utility Computing, leads the design, development, and validation of next-generation high-speed interconnect solutions for ML chips and data center servers. The role involves working closely with interdisciplinary teams to optimize signal integrity, power, and thermal performance while managing vendor relationships and manufacturing processes. This position requires deep expertise in connector and cable assembly design, signal integrity principles, and relevant industry standards to innovate in hyperscale compute environments.
AWS Utility Computing (UC) provides product innovations — from foundational services such as Amazon’s Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), to consistently released new product innovations that continue to set AWS’s services and features apart in the industry. As a member of the UC organization, you’ll support the development and management of Compute, Database, Storage, Internet of Things (Iot), Platform, and Productivity Apps services in AWS, including support for customers who require specialized security solutions for customers who require specialized security solutions for their cloud services.
Annapurna Labs (our organization within AWS UC) designs silicon and software that accelerates innovation. Customers choose us to create cloud solutions that solve challenges that were unimaginable a short time ago—even yesterday. Our custom chips, accelerators, and software stacks enable us to take on technical challenges that have never been seen before, and deliver results that help our customers change the world.
We are seeking a Hardware Design Engineer with role in the definition, design and validation of AWS next generation ML Chips, Cards and server integration. As a senior member of our hardware team, you will have the outstanding and meaningful opportunity to participate in the design and execution of all PCIe and Serdes topics, with the goal of creating and customized platforms that fit within AWS datacenter’s world leading technology.
As a member of the Machine Learning Acceleration team you’ll be responsible for the design and optimization of hardware in our data centers. You’ll provide leadership in the application of new technologies to large scale server deployments in a continuous effort to deliver a world-class customer experience. This is a fast-paced, intellectually challenging position, and you’ll work with thought leaders in multiple technology areas. You’ll have high standards for yourself and everyone you work with, and you’ll be constantly looking for ways to improve your products performance, quality and cost. We’re changing an industry, and we want individuals who are ready for this challenge and want to reach beyond what is possible today.
Key job responsibilities
Lead the design, evaluation, and release of server backplane and cable interconnect solutions for high-performance compute systems.
Own end-to-end development of high-speed connectors, including definition, selection, 3D modeling, simulation review, and mechanical integration.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and system architects to ensure interconnect designs meet signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and thermal requirements.
Manage relationships with connector and cable vendors: including spec alignment, technical reviews, and performance validation.
Apply fundamental signal integrity principles to optimize high-speed links and reduce EMI/EMC challenges.
Drive connector and cable manufacturing processes, including DFM, tooling, assembly techniques, and quality control.
Support failure analysis, root cause investigations, and field issue resolutions related to interconnect systems.
High speed PCB design experience is a plus.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Utility Computing (UC)
AWS Utility Computing (UC) provides product innovations — from foundational services such as Amazon’s Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), to consistently released new product innovations that continue to set AWS’s services and features apart in the industry. As a member of the UC organization, you’ll support the development and management of Compute, Database, Storage, Internet of Things (IoT), Platform, and Productivity Apps services in AWS, including support for customers who require specialized security solutions for their cloud services.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- 6+ years of experience in connector or cable assembly design for high-speed applications.
- Deep understanding of server backplane cable technologies including twinax, DAC, fiber, and hybrid solutions.
- Hands-on experience with high-speed connector technologies (e.g., SFP/QSFP, MCIO, EDSFF, OCP standards).
- Strong fundamentals in signal integrity, including channel loss, crosstalk, impedance, and return loss.
- Proficiency in mechanical and electrical CAD tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, Allegro).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production
- Experience with the project management of technical projects
- Experience working with hyperscale compute, data center, or storage hardware.
- Knowledge of SI simulation tools (e.g., Ansys HFSS, Keysight ADS) is a plus.
- Familiarity with industry standards such as PCIe, SAS, SATA, IEEE, or OCP.
- Demonstrated success in vendor management and supplier development programs.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, ambiguous, and collaborative environment.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $128,600/year in our lowest geographic market up to $213,600/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.
Annapurna Labs (our organization within AWS UC) designs silicon and software that accelerates innovation. Customers choose us to create cloud solutions that solve challenges that were unimaginable a short time ago—even yesterday. Our custom chips, accelerators, and software stacks enable us to take on technical challenges that have never been seen before, and deliver results that help our customers change the world.
We are seeking a Hardware Design Engineer with role in the definition, design and validation of AWS next generation ML Chips, Cards and server integration. As a senior member of our hardware team, you will have the outstanding and meaningful opportunity to participate in the design and execution of all PCIe and Serdes topics, with the goal of creating and customized platforms that fit within AWS datacenter’s world leading technology.
As a member of the Machine Learning Acceleration team you’ll be responsible for the design and optimization of hardware in our data centers. You’ll provide leadership in the application of new technologies to large scale server deployments in a continuous effort to deliver a world-class customer experience. This is a fast-paced, intellectually challenging position, and you’ll work with thought leaders in multiple technology areas. You’ll have high standards for yourself and everyone you work with, and you’ll be constantly looking for ways to improve your products performance, quality and cost. We’re changing an industry, and we want individuals who are ready for this challenge and want to reach beyond what is possible today.
Key job responsibilities
Lead the design, evaluation, and release of server backplane and cable interconnect solutions for high-performance compute systems.
Own end-to-end development of high-speed connectors, including definition, selection, 3D modeling, simulation review, and mechanical integration.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and system architects to ensure interconnect designs meet signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and thermal requirements.
Manage relationships with connector and cable vendors: including spec alignment, technical reviews, and performance validation.
Apply fundamental signal integrity principles to optimize high-speed links and reduce EMI/EMC challenges.
Drive connector and cable manufacturing processes, including DFM, tooling, assembly techniques, and quality control.
Support failure analysis, root cause investigations, and field issue resolutions related to interconnect systems.
High speed PCB design experience is a plus.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Utility Computing (UC)
AWS Utility Computing (UC) provides product innovations — from foundational services such as Amazon’s Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), to consistently released new product innovations that continue to set AWS’s services and features apart in the industry. As a member of the UC organization, you’ll support the development and management of Compute, Database, Storage, Internet of Things (IoT), Platform, and Productivity Apps services in AWS, including support for customers who require specialized security solutions for their cloud services.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures- Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- 6+ years of experience in connector or cable assembly design for high-speed applications.
- Deep understanding of server backplane cable technologies including twinax, DAC, fiber, and hybrid solutions.
- Hands-on experience with high-speed connector technologies (e.g., SFP/QSFP, MCIO, EDSFF, OCP standards).
- Strong fundamentals in signal integrity, including channel loss, crosstalk, impedance, and return loss.
- Proficiency in mechanical and electrical CAD tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, Allegro).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production
- Experience with the project management of technical projects
- Experience working with hyperscale compute, data center, or storage hardware.
- Knowledge of SI simulation tools (e.g., Ansys HFSS, Keysight ADS) is a plus.
- Familiarity with industry standards such as PCIe, SAS, SATA, IEEE, or OCP.
- Demonstrated success in vendor management and supplier development programs.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, ambiguous, and collaborative environment.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $128,600/year in our lowest geographic market up to $213,600/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.
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