Principal Engineer - Advanced Electronics Product Design Lead (Italy based)

About Us

Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us.

In just three years, we have raised a total of $120 million and have built a world-class team of 180+ employees (including 55+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 11 different countries and with offices in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

We have also launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.

Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer. 

Are you up for the challenge?

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Principal Engineer - Product Design Lead to oversee the complete design and development of cutting-edge electronics products that drive innovation and impact.  

In this critical role, you will combine technical project management with hands-on design expertise, managing the end-to-end design process, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality products.  

Your leadership and deep knowledge of electronics design principles will be instrumental in shaping our product portfolio and driving the growth of our organization. 

Key responsibilities:

• End-to-End Product Ownership: Lead the entire design and development process of specific products, from concept to production, ensuring technical excellence and timely delivery.  

• Technical Leadership: Define product architecture and guide design teams in creating innovative solutions that meet performance, cost, and manufacturability requirements.  

• Project Management: Act as a technical project manager, developing project plans, managing timelines, and ensuring milestones are met while mitigating risks and addressing technical challenges. Collaborate with PMO team to ensure projects alignment with company objectives and key results (OKRs).  

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with hardware, software, mechanical & thermal engineering, and supply chain teams to ensure cohesive product development and seamless integration.  

• Design Oversight: Supervise and contribute to the design of circuit boards, schematics, layouts, and system-level architectures. Provide technical reviews and ensure compliance with industry standards.  

• Component Selection and Validation: Oversee the selection of components, ensuring alignment with product requirements. Manage validation processes, including simulations and prototyping.  

• Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Act as a technical leader and mentor for the design team, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of innovation. Collaborate cross-functionally with silicon R&D, software developers, mechanical, thermal engineers, and product managers to drive cohesive product development.   

• Documentation and Reporting: Develop comprehensive design documentation, including specifications, test plans, and technical reports. Present progress, challenges, and outcomes to stakeholders.  

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies. Proactively identify opportunities to enhance product performance and design efficiency.  

• Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical growth.  

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.  

• Experience:  

  • 15+ years of experience in electronics product design, with a proven track record of leading complex projects from concept to production.  

  • Proven expertise in managing cross-functional teams and driving project success.  

  • Expertise in overseeing both in-house and outsourced development teams, including Original Design Manufacturers (ODM) and Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) suppliers.  

• Technical Expertise:  

  • Deep understanding of electronics design principles, including circuit design, layout, signal integrity, and power integrity.  

  • Proficiency with design and simulation tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Siemens Xpedition, Siemens Hyperlynx, Keysight ADS).  

  • Experience in ARM and x86-based architectures is a strong advantage.  

• Project Management Skills:  

  • Exceptional organizational and planning abilities, with experience in managing project Gantt, budgets, and resources.  

  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage technical risks effectively.  

  • PMO certification or equivalent is a strong advantage. 

• Leadership and Communication:  

  • Proven ability to lead technical teams, mentor engineers, and foster a collaborative environment. 

  • Excellent communication skills, capable of conveying technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.   

• Adaptability: 

  • Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results under tight deadlines. 

  • Skilled in working within distributed organizations and fostering effective team collaboration. 

• Language skills: Proficiency in both spoken and written English. 

Location

This position is based in Italy & we support relocation to Bologna, Florence or Milan for talent based abroad and interested in this role.

What we offer 

This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.   

An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team. 

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.