Principal Power and Board Design Engineer

Astera Labs is a global leader in purpose-built connectivity solutions that unlock the full potential of AI and cloud infrastructure. Our Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates PCIe®, CXL®, and Ethernet semiconductor-based solutions and the COSMOS software suite of system management and optimization tools to deliver a software-defined architecture that is both scalable and customizable. Inspired by trusted relationships with hyperscalers and the data center ecosystem, we are an innovation leader delivering products that are flexible and interoperable. Discover how we are transforming modern data-driven applications at www.asteralabs.com. 

Principal Power and Board Design Engineer 

Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Power and Board Design Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and optimizing power delivery systems for our ASIC products, ensuring robust power integrity, and developing board-level designs. Your expertise will be crucial in selecting power components, collaborating with vendors, and utilizing industry-leading tools to deliver high-performance solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize power conversion circuits, including DC-DC converters, voltage regulators, and power modules.

• Design and optimize power delivery for ASICs, ensuring stable voltage and current distribution across the board. Address power integrity challenges such as voltage ripple, noise, and impedance mismatches.

• Develop and implement board-level designs, to meet electrical and mechanical requirements with a deep understanding of PCB layout rules and constraints.

• Implement thermal solutions to maintain optimal operating temperatures for components.

• Evaluate and select appropriate power components, such as voltage regulators, capacitors, and inductors, ensuring they meet performance, thermal, and reliability specifications. Also will be asked to do the same evaluation on overall system level design components.

• Work closely with component vendors to identify and source the best power solutions, ensuring compatibility with our ASIC designs and meeting quality standards.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including firmware, mechanical, and validation engineers, to integrate designs into complete systems.

• Generate and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including, Specifications, schematics and BOMs.

• Conduct thorough debugging and analysis of power-related or system level issue utilizing lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and power analyzers to identify and resolve problems.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.

• Experience: 8-10 years of experience in power and board design engineering, with a focus on ASIC or high-speed digital designs.

• Technical Skills:

  • Proficiency in Cadence OrCAD and Allegro for schematic capture and PCB layout.

  • Strong understanding of power integrity principles and techniques.

  • Experience with power component selection and vendor collaboration.

  • Hands-on experience with debugging power-related issues using lab equipment.

• Soft Skills:

  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

  • Strong communication and teamwork abilities.

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, DDR, and USB.

• Familiarity with electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations.

• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) considerations.

• Experience in thermal management and reliability analysis.

Why Join Us:

• Work on cutting-edge ASIC designs in a collaborative and innovative environment.

• Opportunity to influence power design strategies and contribute to product success.

• Access to state-of-the-art tools and resources to enhance your skills and career growth.

If you are passionate about power and board design engineering and meet the qualifications outlined above, we encourage you to apply and become a key contributor to our team.

Base pay range for this role is $209,000 - $230,000. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions.  

We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.