SambaNova is a leader in next-generation AI infrastructure, delivering a full-stack inference platform for customers worldwide. At the core of SambaNova's technology is the RDU (Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit) — a chip built on a dataflow architecture rather than the traditional GPU model. Its decode performance is especially strong for agentic workloads like multi-turn agents, code generation, and long-running applications. RDUs are packaged into SambaRack, rack-scale hardware that lets customers deploy state-of-the-art models with better performance, greater energy efficiency, and faster time to value.
The IT team supports SambaNova’s employees and infrastructure. We manage the servers, networks, and cloud accounts our engineering teams use to build and test AI chips and systems. We also handle employee laptops, accounts, and software, and we run security across the company. The team is small and works closely with engineering and DevOps.
As Director of IT on the IT team, you will lead infrastructure, end-user IT, security operations, and DevOps support across the company. You will set the direction for the function and grow the team, and you will also do hands-on work when the team needs it. This role can be leveled at Director or Senior Director depending on experience.
Responsibilities- Lead server and backend infrastructure, including on-prem and cloud systems, networking, storage, and identity
- Run desktop and end-user IT, including laptop provisioning, SaaS tools, help desk, and onboarding and off boarding
- Build and run the security program and security operations, including endpoint protection, access control, monitoring, and incident response
- Partner with engineering on DevOps tooling, CI/CD infrastructure, and automation
- Hire and manage the IT team, and set its roadmap and budget
- Manage vendors and contracts for IT and security tools
- Configure systems, troubleshoot outages, and write automation yourself when needed
- B.S. in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure and operations
- 5+ years of experience leading IT teams
- Experience running both backend infrastructure and end-user IT
- Experience building or running a security operations program
- Experience with DevOps tools such as Terraform, Ansible, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines
- Hands-on experience with Linux, Windows, and macOS administration, identity management such as Okta or Entra ID, and MDM
- Able to work onsite at our Bay Area office on a regular basis
- Experience at a startup or high-growth company
- Experience supporting hardware or semiconductor engineering teams, including HPC or lab environments
- Experience with SOC 2, ISO 27001, or similar compliance programs
- Experience scaling an IT team through rapid headcount growth
Base Salary Range:
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at SambaNova Systems, you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified.
EEO Policy
SambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Benefits Summary for US-Based, Full-Time Employment Positions
SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
- 10 or more years of experience in IT infrastructure and operations
- 5 or more years of experience leading IT teams
- Experience managing backend infrastructure and end-user IT
- Experience building or operating a security operations program
- Experience with Terraform, Ansible, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines
- Hands-on administration experience with Linux, Windows, and macOS
- Experience with identity management platforms such as Okta or Entra ID
- Experience with mobile device management
- Ability to work onsite at the Bay Area office regularly
- Experience working at a startup or high-growth company
- Experience supporting hardware or semiconductor engineering teams, including HPC or laboratory environments
- Experience with SOC 2, ISO 27001, or similar compliance programs
- Experience scaling an IT team during rapid headcount growth
What We Do
AI is changing the world and at SambaNova, we believe that you don’t need unlimited resources to take advantage of the most advanced, valuable AI capabilities - capabilities that are helping organizations explore the universe, find cures for cancer, and giving companies access to insights that provide a competitive edge. We deliver the world’s fastest and only complete AI solution for enterprises and governments with world-record inference performance and accuracy. Powered by the SambaNova SN40L Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit (RDU), organizations can build a technology backbone for the next decade of AI innovation with SambaNova Suite. Our fully integrated hardware-software system, DataScale®, enables organizations to train, fine-tune, and deploy the most demanding AI workloads using the largest and most challenging models. Most recently, with the launch of our newest offering, SambaNova Cloud, developers can supercharge AI-powered applications on Llama 3.2 models. SambaNova was founded in 2017 in Palo Alto, California, by a group of industry luminaries, business leaders, and world-class innovators who understand AI. Today, we’ve built an incredibly smart and motivated team dedicated to making a lasting impact on the industry and equipping our customers to thrive in the new era of AI.
Why Work With Us
As a talent first company, we aim to hire the greatest and most innovative minds in the industry- driving the next generation of AI computing where no barrier is too high and the possibilities are truly limitless. We encourage our peers to take risks and take the initiative to make a lasting impact on the AI and ML industries.
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