Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems in London
Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems

Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead hardware development for cutting-edge AI solutions and ensure technical excellence.
  • Company: Join Axelera AI, a pioneering deep-tech startup transforming the future of AI.
  • Benefits: Attractive compensation, pension plan, employee insurances, and equity options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while working with a world-class team.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in hardware engineering and strong leadership experience required.
  • Other info: Flexible work options: remote or relocate to vibrant European cities.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.

About Us

Axelera AI is not your regular deep‐tech startup. We are building the next‐generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to advance humanity and improve the world around us. In just four years, we have raised $120M, built a world‐class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), and launched our MetisTM AI Platform, which achieves a 3‐5x increase in efficiency and performance. We have a strong business pipeline exceeding $100M and a global footprint across Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Position Overview

We are looking for a hands‐on, strategic engineering leader to take ownership of in‐house hardware and lead the full hardware development organization responsible for designing our cards and system‐level AI solutions built around the company’s accelerator chips. Ownership spans schematic design, power delivery architecture, high‐speed board design, PCB layout quality, SI/PI methodologies, validation strategy, and overall technical integrity of our products. You will partner closely with the Director of AI Integrated Systems, who drives product development strategy, and the technical roadmap prioritisation. Your focus will be on engineering execution and technical leadership required to deliver high‐performance, reliable, manufacturable hardware platforms.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as the technical authority for all hardware designs, guiding architecture, schematics, PCB stack‐ups, high‐speed routing, power delivery, SI/PI, thermal and mechanical engineering.
  • Own end‐to‐end hardware execution—from design reviews and bring‐up to validation, reliability testing, DFM/DFT/DFR and mass‐production readiness.
  • Oversee all hardware development activities in partnership with the Hardware R&D Manager, ensuring technical robustness, compliance, and performance across all products.
  • Define and enforce engineering processes, documentation standards, validation methodologies, and quality gates across the organization.
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks, resolve engineering escalations, and drive debugging and root‐cause analysis during development and early production.
  • Partner with product technical leaders to ensure strong product requirements, architectural clarity, and lean, manufacturable design execution.
  • Occasionally lead project technical execution when needed.
  • Lead and mentor an experienced engineering organization, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and growth paths for senior technical talent.
  • Align hardware execution with system integration, silicon, SDK/software, supply chain, productization, and operations.
  • Partner with the division Director to translate product development strategy into actionable engineering plans, schedules, and development priorities.

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in hardware engineering for complex electronics products and 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
  • Experience with embedded compute, firmware or board‐bring‐up; familiarity with structured NPI processes.
  • Experience with high‐speed interfaces, power delivery/VRM, PCB layout in high density, thermal/mechanical design, simulations and product validation/compliance.
  • Proven track record of delivering hardware designs into volume production.
  • Hands‐on ability to review schematics, layouts, simulations, and lab validation data.
  • Experience with AI accelerators is a plus.
  • Experience with server‐level engineering is a plus.
  • Leadership experience across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong strategic thinker, excellent communicator and skilled at decision‐making in fast‐moving environments.

Location

Work from one of our Axelera AI offices (Leuven in Belgium, Amsterdam and Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Zurich in Switzerland, Florence and Milan in Italy or Bristol in the United Kingdom) if you’re already based in the vicinity. Work fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK) you are already in. Relocate with us and work from Italy (Florence or Milan) or the Netherlands (Amsterdam or Eindhoven).

Compensation

We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.

Equity & Benefits

At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.

Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems in London employer: Axelera AI

At Axelera AI, we pride ourselves on being a pioneering deep-tech startup that not only drives innovation in AI but also fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer extensive opportunities for professional development, competitive compensation packages, and the flexibility to work from various locations across Europe, including the option to relocate to beautiful cities like Florence or Amsterdam. Join us to be part of a world-class team dedicated to advancing humanity through cutting-edge technology.
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Contact Detail:

Axelera AI Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at Axelera AI. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s projects and values. Show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about advancing humanity through AI.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t shy away from showcasing your hands-on experience. We love candidates who can talk about their past projects and how they’ve tackled challenges in hardware engineering.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems in London

Hardware Engineering
Schematic Design
PCB Layout
High-Speed Board Design
Power Delivery Architecture
Thermal and Mechanical Engineering
Validation Strategy
Root Cause Analysis
Embedded Compute
Firmware Development
NPI Processes
AI Accelerators
Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise in hardware engineering to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of your past achievements that relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from detailing your hands-on experience with hardware design and development processes. We want to see your ability to lead complex projects and your familiarity with high-speed interfaces and power delivery systems.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Axelera AI!

How to prepare for a job interview at Axelera AI

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around hardware design and AI systems. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, focusing on your role in schematic design, PCB layout, and validation strategies.

✨Show Your Leadership Skills

As a Director of Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams, resolved engineering escalations, and mentored junior engineers. Highlight your strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.

✨Align with Company Goals

Research Axelera AI's mission and recent developments. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals, particularly in advancing AI technology. Show that you understand their product development strategy and how you can contribute to it.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's engineering processes, team dynamics, and future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture is the right fit for you.

Director of Engineering - AI Integrated Systems in London
Axelera AI
Location: London

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