Senior Hardware Engineer, Orbital Infrastructure

Armada is the hyperscaler for the edge, delivering modular AI infrastructure from first deployment to AI factory with speed, scale and sovereignty. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and the CNBC Disruptor 50, Armada’s solutions are deployed in over 60 countries globally for organizations ranging from energy to defense. 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. 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. #562 The Mission 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. About the role 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. You will bridge the gap between high‑performance "COTS" (Commercial Off‑The‑Shelf) hardware and the extreme reliability required for an unserviceable orbital environment. Location: Bellevue, WA What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities) Component Strategy & 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). 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. 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. Thermal & 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. Hardware Hardening: Lead the "Space‑Adaptation" of terrestrial hardware, implementing shielding, structural reinforcements, and conductive cooling paths. Validation & Qualification: Oversee the hardware testing lifecycle, from initial breadboarding to Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) and Vibration (Shock/Vibe) qualification. Required Qualifications US Citizenship required. 10+ Years of Experience: Deep hands‑on hardware engineering with a focus on server‑class hardware, high‑performance computing (HPC), or ruggedized electronics. Industry Networks: Existing, strong relationships with major semiconductor and data center component vendors. Server Design Mastery: Expert knowledge of x86/ARM architectures, memory hierarchies, and high‑speed interconnects (PCIe, NVMe, Ethernet). PCBA Design: Proficiency in high‑speed PCB design (Altium, Cadence, or Allegro) for power‑dense environments. Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Preferred Qualifications Spaceflight Heritage: Proven experience designing hardware that has successfully flown and operated in LEO/GEO environments. Radiation Effects: Expertise in mitigating Single Event Effects (SEE) and Total Ionizing Dose (TID) through hardware‑level redundancy and shielding. Aerospace Integration: Experience interfacing high‑compute payloads with standard satellite buses and power systems. Environmental Standards: Familiarity with rigorous testing standards for vacuum, thermal, and high‑vibration environments (e.g., MIL‑STD or equivalent aerospace protocols). Compensation For U.S. Based candidates: 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. In addition to base salary, this role will also be offered equity and subsidized benefits (details available upon request). Compensation: $157,600 USD - $197,000 USD Benefits Competitive base salary and equity Medical, dental, and vision (subsidized cost) Health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), and dependent care FSAs (DCFSA) Retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Roth 401(k) Unlimited paid time off (PTO) 14 paid company holidays per year You're a Great Fit if You're A go‑getter with a growth mindset. You're intellectually curious, have strong business acumen, and actively seek opportunities to build relevant skills and knowledge. A detail‑oriented problem‑solver. You can independently gather information, solve problems efficiently, and deliver results with a "get‑it‑done" attitude. Thrive in a fast‑paced environment. You're energized by an entrepreneurial spirit, capable of working quickly, and excited to contribute to a growing company. A collaborative team player. You focus on business success and are motivated by team accomplishment vs personal agenda. Highly organized and results‑driven. Strong prioritization skills and a dedicated work ethic are essential for you. Equal Opportunity Statement 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. Unsolicited Resumes and Candidates 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Armada