System Architect

Description

Job Description Overview:

The System Architect is responsible for the overall architecture and design of all aspects of complete PC systems & products and takes an active leadership role in defining and resolving technical challenges from early concepts and mock-ups through to final production. Responsibilities include technology planning for current and future products, creating balanced solutions that address cost, quality, feature and schedule requirements, and managing technical program risk to avoid impacting cost, quality and schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and drives end to end system/platform architecture by owning the architectural specification, design and validation of the platform or board.
• Translates requirements, KEIs, and KPIs into platform architecture specifications encompassing hardware, software, SoCs, and other components designed to support the system / solution / applications.
• Provides expertise to optimally solve the business need and sets expectations for cost, features, and schedule.
• Provides experimental/proof-of-concept outcomes for proposing design alternatives meeting performance, power, area, timing constraints. Reviews risks and challenges and influences cross-functional roadmaps and technology targets.
• Drives technical readiness of prototype system design and creates design specifications, including block diagrams and/or high-level designs, key components, system design constraints, etc., to meet the system or product requirements.
• Invents, conceptualizes, and specifies architectural features for next-generation platforms, and makes all required product technology and platform tradeoff decisions, ensuring the resulting system conforms to standards, specifications and landing zones.
• Collaborates with other Architects, Design Engineers, Verification Engineers to improve the overall design of platform and overcome constraints.
• Provides back-end support to execution teams and suppliers to ensure the system meets all program expectations on performance, schedule, and quality & reliability.
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience with a variety of schematic and layout tools, scheduling, reporting and risk management.
• Experience with a variety of design simulation and measurement tools, evaluation of signal integrity and route tuning.
• Experience with a variety of power and thermal simulation and measurement tools, evaluation of power system design and tuning.
• Understanding of interactions between BIOS, EC, driver and various controllers in signal and power management
• Experience working, and achieving results, through external ODM partners and/or suppliers.
• Ability to conduct all the steps required to validate system and component level signal integrity and power design, including meeting aggressive performance requirements
• Ability to work confidently in a rapidly changing, fast-paced and results-oriented corporate environment where a high degree of flexibility is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Required Qualifications:

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• 7+ years of Engineering Experience in Electrical Design, System Engineering and Signal Integrity
• Demonstrated experience working with PC ODMs and/or other technology suppliers to deliver commercially viable PC products.
• Demonstrated understanding of PC architecture and components as they relate to system design.
• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced EE skills, including schematic entry/review, high-speed signal routing, power delivery, PCB stack-up and review, etc.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of industry-standard hardware development tools.
• Demonstrated experience with complex troubleshooting and system debug skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing Mini PC (sub 3L) Systems for commercial and consumer applications
• Experience leading next generation product or technology planning.
• Experience working with and managing both internal and external development teams.
• Detailed knowledge of system manufacturing process as it relates to product design.

Working Conditions:

• Typically works in a lab environment doing hands-on work with prototype systems, etc.

• Requires sitting, operating a computer keyboard, telephone and other office equipment for extended periods of time.
• Weekly interaction with Asia-based colleagues and design partners in calls and meetings scheduled beyond typical core working hours (PST).
• Occasional travel to visit ODMs or suppliers (in Asia) may be required.