Senior Hardware Engineer

Are you excited about building the next generation of cloud servers?

Do you enjoy hands‑on hardware bring‑up?

Join our Server Team!

Our Hardware Engineering team designs, qualifies, and scales the server platforms that power Akamai Cloud. We partner closely with OEM/ODM manufacturers to deliver reliable, efficient, and secure platforms from concept through global deployment.

Partner with the best

You will develop new server platforms optimized for cloud workloads, and GPU‑accelerated configurations for AI inference. You will be at the forefront of the server lifecycle managing architecture, design for manufacturability, bring‑up, validation, and release ensuring our platforms meet demanding performance, cost, and reliability targets.

As a Senior Hardware Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Owning platform development for compute and GPU servers.
• Defining requirements, review schematics/layouts, guide DFM, and drive platform NPI from EVT DVT PVT MP.
• Leading bring‑up and debug of boards and systems (power, thermal, storage, networking, manageability)
• Developing and execute validation plans, root‑cause issues across HW/FW/SW.
• Collaborating with partners (OEM/ODM, silicon, and component suppliers) to develop platform configurations that balance performance, efficiency, supply continuity, and TCO.
• Managing component firmware/BIOS/OpenBMC feature sets (performance/power/thermal, secure boot, provisioning, telemetry)
• Qualifying key technologies: PCIe Gen5/Gen6 GPUs, CPUs, NICs, DPUs, NVMe drives, DRAM.
• Designing and validating GPU platforms including PCIe/NVLink/UALink topologies, power/thermal envelopes, and reliability considerations for GPUs.

Do what you love

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have 8 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or a related field
• Have a foundation in server architecture and board‑level design/debug. Comfortable with low‑level buses and tools (IC, SPI, UART, oscilloscopes).
• Have practical experience with platform validation (power/thermal, signal integrity, storage and PCIe/NVMe qualification, system stress).
• Be proficient in Linux and scripting (Python, Bash). Ability to automate tests, parse logs, and build data‑driven reports.
• Have a track record of vendor management. Translating requirements into clear specifications, negotiating trade‑offs, and holding partners accountable to schedule and quality.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including being comfortable speaking in a group setting

Work in a way that works for you

Flex Base, Akamai's Global Flexible Working Program, is based on the principles that are helping us create the best workplace in the world. When our colleagues said that flexible working was important to them, we listened. We also know flexible working is important to many of the incredible people considering joining Akamai. Flex Base, gives 95% of employees the choice to work from their home, their office, or both (in the country advertised).

This permanent workplace flexibility program is consistent and fair globally, to help us find incredible talent, virtually anywhere. We are happy to discuss working options for this role and encourage you to speak with your recruiter in more detail when you apply.

Learn what makes Akamai a great place to work

This role will require your presence in our Cambridge office at least a 3 days a week. Applicants should be aware that this office attendance will be required.

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At Akamai, we're curious, innovative, collaborative and tenacious. We celebrate diversity of thought and we hold an unwavering belief that we can make a meaningful difference. Our teams use their global perspectives to put customers at the forefront of everything they do, so if you are people‑centric, you'll thrive here.

Working for you

At Akamai, we will provide you with opportunities to grow, flourish, and achieve great things. Our benefit options are designed to meet your individual needs for today and in the future. We provide benefits surrounding all aspects of…