Hardware Solutions Architect

Location: Reston, VA

About the Opportunity:

At Seekr, we are at the forefront of innovation, pioneering solutions that redefine the way AI impacts the world. We are passionate about developing cutting-edge products and services. As we expand our Horizons, we are seeking a highly skilled Hardware Solutions Architect to collaborate with our team and strategic enterprise customers on designing and specifying hardware solutions. This role focuses on delivering tailored infrastructure for appliances, server-scale systems, containerized platforms (a must have), and comprehensive data center environments. You will leverage expertise in current and emerging GPU technologies, power management, cooling strategies (air vs. liquid), and networking to create optimized, cost-effective designs.

We are not just looking for an expert. The ideal candidate must be solutions-minded, commercially savvy, and skilled in building bills of materials (BOMs), while working closely with chip manufacturers, value-added resellers (VARs), and server original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The position reports to the VP of Infrastructure and Operations. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Customer Engagement and Solution Design
  • Lead technical discovery sessions and workshops with strategic customers to gather requirements, assess workloads, and align hardware specifications to business goals.
  • Develop system architectures for diverse setups, including standalone appliances, server-scale clusters, containerized environments (e.g., Kubernetes-based GPU deployments), and full data center integrations.
  • Present recommendations, tradeoffs, and cost models to both technical and business stakeholders.
  • Manage RFI/RFP responses, contributing technical details on hardware configurations and integration strategies.
• Hardware Architecture and Specification
  • Design systems incorporating the latest GPU and upcoming advancements like next-gen accelerators, focusing on compatibility, performance, and energy efficiency.
  • Specify power systems, including density planning, redundancy, and integration with facility infrastructure, while evaluating cooling options such as air-based (e.g., hot/cold aisle containment) versus liquid cooling (e.g., direct-to-chip or immersion techniques).
  • Architect networking solutions, including Ethernet, InfiniBand, or RoCE fabrics, to support high-bandwidth, low-latency requirements for GPU-intensive workloads.
  • Ensure designs account for reliability, security, and scalability, with a particular focus on containerized platforms like Kubernetes, GPU operators, and multi-tenancy configurations.
• Industry and Partner Engagement
  • Build, maintain, and optimize detailed BOMs, including component selection, pricing, compatibility matrices, and supply chain considerations to minimize risks and costs.
  • Partner with chip manufacturers, VARs, and server OEMs to source components, negotiate terms, conduct POCs (proof-of-concept), and ensure seamless integration.
  • Monitor vendor roadmaps for GPU innovations, firmware updates, and hardware trends to inform proactive solution recommendations.
• Deployment, Testing, and Optimization
  • Oversee the implementation of hardware solutions, including rack design, burn-in testing, and performance validation for containerized environments.
  • Develop deployment runbooks, acceptance criteria, and monitoring strategies to facilitate smooth handoffs to customer operations teams.
  • Analyze and optimize solutions post-deployment, focusing on metrics like power efficiency, cooling effectiveness, and network throughput to enhance long-term value.
• Commercial and Strategic Support
  • Collaborate with sales and business teams to create pricing strategies, and competitive positioning
  • Contribute to internal knowledge sharing by developing reference architectures, sizing guides, and best practices for containerized GPU workloads.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends, such as emerging GPU standards and sustainable data center practices, to refine offerings and support customer growth.

Required Qualifications: 

• 7–12 years in hardware solutions architecture, data center design, or similar roles, with proven expertise in specifying hardware for enterprise customers.
• In-depth knowledge of current and upcoming GPU technologies, including architecture, programming models, integration (e.g., NVIDIA CUDA, AMD ROCm), and performance optimization.
• Strong understanding of power and cooling systems, including air-cooled, liquid-cooled, and hybrid datacenter environments.
• Proficiency in networking protocols and topologies, such as high-speed Ethernet, InfiniBand, and fabric management for distributed computing.
• Extensive familiarity with Bill of Materials (BOM) creation, including component lifecycle management, cost analysis, and vendor negotiations.
• Solid experience with containerized solutions, particularly Kubernetes for GPU-accelerated applications, including operator deployment, resource scheduling, and scaling.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical solutions with business needs, such as developing TCO models, leading customer discussions, and driving deal closures.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with a customer-first mindset; capable of simplifying complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience working directly with major chip vendors (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and server OEMs (e.g., Dell, HPE) on custom hardware projects.
• Knowledge of advanced storage solutions (e.g., NVMe, parallel filesystems) and their role in containerized environments.
• Understanding of container-optimized OSes, CI/CD pipelines, and orchestration frameworks.
• Familiarity with automation tools like Terraform or Ansible for infrastructure provisioning.
• Certifications such as CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator), vendor-specific GPU credentials, or data center design certifications.
• Track record of successful hardware deployments in regulated industries, with awareness of compliance standards like HIPAA or SOC 2.

Salary:

The base salary range for this full-time position is $150,000-$250,000, plus bonus, equity, and benefits. All salary ranges are determined by role, level, experience, and location.