---
title: 'Hardware Design Engineer at Designworks Talent'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/hardware-design-engineer-designworks-talent-bellevue-bdbze54pjjfe'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-19'
---

# Hardware Design Engineer at Designworks Talent

- **Company:** Designworks Talent
- **Location:** Bellevue, WA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-07-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-19
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/designworkstalent/c2c67123-d798-4ddb-a3bc-70907b056c72

## Job description

Hardware / Machine Design Engineer Location: Hybrid | Bellevue, WA (downtown) Titles: Principal (multiple roles available) ; Staff level may be considered

Design the Hardware Powering the Next Generation of AI Infrastructure

## About the Opportunity

A well-funded, rapidly growing AI infrastructure company is building a next-generation cloud platform designed to power the full lifecycle of artificial intelligence. The organization is developing a comprehensive AI infrastructure, platform, and services portfolio that supports the full spectrum of AI workloads—including large-scale compute, model training, fine-tuning, inference, and emerging agentic AI applications.

Backed by significant long-term investment, the company combines the speed, ownership, and innovation of a startup with the stability and resources of an established parent organization. Engineering teams are intentionally lean, highly collaborative, and AI-native, leveraging modern automation and tooling to build world-class infrastructure capable of supporting the most demanding AI workloads.

We're seeking a Principal Hardware / Machine Design Engineer to lead the design of next-generation GPU server and rack infrastructure. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys translating vendor reference architectures into highly optimized, production-ready systems that maximize performance, reliability, serviceability, and cost efficiency.

The Opportunity As one of the earliest infrastructure engineers on the team, you'll own the physical design of GPU servers and rack-scale systems that form the foundation of a rapidly expanding AI platform. Working closely with GPU vendors, ODMs/OEMs, data center engineering, networking, and operations teams, you'll drive hardware architecture from concept through deployment while influencing future infrastructure strategy.

This is a highly visible individual contributor role with broad ownership and the opportunity to shape hardware standards for a rapidly growing AI infrastructure organization.

## What You'll Do

- Lead the design and configuration of GPU servers and rack-scale infrastructure using vendor reference architectures from NVIDIA, AMD, and emerging AI hardware providers.
- Partner closely with ODMs and OEMs to develop, validate, and optimize custom hardware platforms for production deployment.
- Own rack-level architecture, including mechanical layout, power distribution, thermal design, cable management, serviceability, and deployment standards.
- Evaluate new GPU platforms, server technologies, and hardware innovations to determine their suitability for next-generation AI workloads.
- Collaborate with data center engineering, networking, infrastructure, and operations teams to ensure seamless integration across facilities and production environments.
- Balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, scalability, and total cost of ownership when designing infrastructure solutions.
- Support hardware validation, qualification, and production readiness for large-scale deployments.
- Help establish engineering standards, hardware specifications, and design best practices as the infrastructure organization grows.

## What We're Looking For

- Extensive experience designing GPU-based servers, rack infrastructure, or large-scale compute platforms.
- Deep knowledge of GPU server architecture and vendor reference designs, particularly NVIDIA and AMD ecosystems.
- Experience working directly with ODMs and OEM partners to design, customize, qualify, and manufacture production hardware.
- Strong understanding of rack-level infrastructure, including power, cooling, airflow, mechanical integration, cable management, and serviceability.
- Experience supporting hyperscale cloud, AI infrastructure, HPC, or large-scale data center environments.
- Ability to evaluate architectural trade-offs across performance, scalability, reliability, and cost.
- Comfortable operating as a senior technical leader within a fast-moving, high-growth engineering organization.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience designing infrastructure supporting AI training clusters or large-scale inference platforms.
- Experience with liquid cooling technologies, high-density rack deployments, or advanced thermal management.
- Familiarity with multiple GPU generations and evolving accelerator technologies.
- Background designing hardware platforms for cloud providers, hyperscalers, or AI infrastructure companies.
- Experience influencing long-term hardware architecture and infrastructure strategy.

## Compensation

- Competitive base pay for Bellevue market
- Certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, annual bonus, and long term incentives. These awards are allocated based on individual performance
- U.S. based employees have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, employees also receive per calendar year, paid holidays.

Location

- Hybrid role based in the Bellevue, WA area.
- Approximately three days per week in the office.
- Candidates elsewhere in the U.S. who are open to relocation are encouraged to apply.
- U.S. work authorization is required. Visa sponsorship is not currently available.

Why Join?

- Design the hardware foundation powering one of the industry's most ambitious AI infrastructure platforms.
- Own architecture decisions spanning GPU servers, rack systems, and next-generation compute infrastructure.
- Work directly with leading hardware vendors and manufacturing partners to build production-scale AI systems.
- Join early enough to influence technical direction, engineering standards, and infrastructure strategy.
- Collaborate with an exceptional team solving some of the most challenging problems in AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, and hyperscale systems.
- Enjoy the autonomy and impact of a startup environment backed by substantial long-term investment and a bold vision for the future of AI.

## About Designworks Talent

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Designworks Talent provides custom, AI-enhanced recruiting solutions and enterprise workforce strategies to help companies hire smarter, faster, and with greater precision.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held)
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2009
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Staffing and Recruiting, Talent Acquisition, Enterprise Workforce Solutions
- **Target customers**: B2B; high-growth startups to global enterprises, including HR and Talent Acquisition teams
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Exceptional teams build exceptional companies. We combine human expertise with AI to help you hire smarter, faster, and with greater precision." [designworkstalent.com](https://www.designworkstalent.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Recruiting Process Outsourcing (RPO)**: Scalable, end-to-end recruiting that acts as an extension of the client's team, managing part or all of the hiring process to reduce costs and improve candidate experience. [designworkstalent.com/Services](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)
- **Recruiting Strategy & Consulting**: Design of systems and strategies for hiring, including process design, interview best practices, employer branding, tech stack selection, budget planning, and workforce forecasting. [designworkstalent.com/Services](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)
- **Executive Search**: Confidential, precision-focused search for senior-level executives (C-suite, VP, Director roles) with an emphasis on cultural alignment. [designworkstalent.com/Services](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)
- **Direct Hire Placement**: Full-time placements for core teams across engineering, operations, finance, HR, and more, focused on skill and cultural fit. [designworkstalent.com/Services](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)
- **Fractional & Interim Talent**: Agile, flexible recruiting support for early-stage startups, scaling companies, or those navigating key transitions. [designworkstalent.com/Services](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)
- **Early Stage Start-Up Solution**: End-to-end recruiting function tailored to tech startups, from sourcing and interviewing to closing critical hires. [designworkstalent.com/Services](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – Not disclosed (Privately held, bootstrapped or self-funded)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew by 50% year-over-year (from 2 to 3 employees) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc). Website traffic grew 69% month-over-month with 708 monthly visits [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc). Employer rating of 5.0/5.0 based on 3 reviews [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc).

## Competitive Advantages
- **AI + Human Expertise**: Combines AI-driven tools with deep recruiting expertise to cut time-to-fill and deliver top talent quickly. [designworkstalent.com](https://www.designworkstalent.com/)
- **Flexible Engagement Models**: Offers full-service searches, project-based hiring, and a pay-as-you-go model, providing clients with on-demand support without long-term commitments. [designworkstalent.com](https://www.designworkstalent.com/)
- **Customized Solutions**: Every search is tailored to the client's goals, culture, and growth stage, avoiding a cookie-cutter approach. [designworkstalent.com](https://www.designworkstalent.com/)
- **Agile Talent Strategies**: Delivers flexibility, speed, and continuous improvement, partnering with a range of organizations from startups to global enterprises. [designworkstalent.com](https://www.designworkstalent.com/)

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling the business through a flexible, on-demand recruiting model that appeals to companies of all sizes.
- Expanding into new markets and verticals by leveraging AI and data-driven insights to improve hiring efficiency.
- Building long-term partnerships with clients by focusing on candidate experience, employer branding, and strategic workforce planning.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: High employee satisfaction with a 5.0/5.0 rating across work-life balance, compensation, and culture [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc).
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid workspace model, with offices in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Palm Springs [Built In](https://builtin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc).
- **Team**: Small, agile team (3 employees) offering a close-knit, entrepreneurial environment with significant ownership and impact.
- **Growth**: Company is in a growth phase (50% headcount growth YoY), presenting opportunities for early employees to shape the company’s trajectory.

## Sources
1. [Designworks Talent Website](https://www.designworkstalent.com/)
2. [Designworks Talent Services Page](https://www.designworkstalent.com/Services)
3. [Designworks Talent LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc)
4. [Designworks Talent Careers on Built In](https://builtin.com/company/designworks-talent-llc)
5. [Designworks Talent Job Openings](https://www.designworkstalent.com/postions)

## Other roles at Designworks Talent

- [Technical Program Leader - AI Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-program-leader-ai-infrastructure-designworks-talent-remote-p08nnmckpw3z)
- [Vice President - AI Infrastructure Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-ai-infrastructure-engineering-designworks-talent-bellevue-6cna08mspwc6) — Bellevue, WA
- [Chief Information Officer (CIO SVP/IT)](https://feeny.ai/job/chief-information-officer-cio-svp-it-designworks-talent-bellevue-pcvjkqnprhq3) — Bellevue, WA
- [Director of Project Development - Forensic Investigations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-project-development-forensic-investigations-designworks-talent-tampa-hjhxc7ezktwv) — Tampa, FL
- [Director of Project Development - Forensic Investigations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-project-development-forensic-investigations-designworks-talent-1gwxg1921g1j) — Dallas, TX
- [Infrastructure Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/infrastructure-systems-engineer-designworks-talent-indianapolis-a6sy57ct4xft) — Indianapolis, IN
- [Principal Data Center Infrastructure Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-data-center-infrastructure-software-engineer-designworks-talent-p3yej8s4j42x) — Bellevue, WA
- [IT Consultant](https://feeny.ai/job/it-consultant-designworks-talent-indianapolis-chm1sqbbvs8m) — Indianapolis, IN
- [Inference Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/inference-engineer-designworks-talent-bellevue-4q7758cdc709) — Bellevue, WA
- [Virtualization & Orchestration Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/virtualization-orchestration-engineer-designworks-talent-bellevue-wtp6p2exdscf) — Bellevue, WA