AI is growing faster than any technology in history and the explosion in demand has created a massive infrastructure gap; we can no longer build chips or power stations fast enough to keep up. The industry is still leaning on a ten-year-old hardware blueprint that has reached its limit. A new paradigm that is faster and more efficient will be the biggest economic opportunity of the next century and create the most important company of the next decade. OLIX is building this next paradigm; the Optical Tensor Processing Unit (OTPU) achieves performance and energy efficiency that is impossible to match from existing chips.
RoleAs Software Architect, Hardware Integration, you will be the foremost technical authority on hardware-software integration across the OTPU — spanning the ASIC, BMC, and photonic interconnect fabric — from pre-silicon through post-silicon and into sustainment engineering.
We are looking for an experienced principal-level engineer who will shape OLIX’s direction through systems thinking and technical depth. You will partner closely with the Software Engineering Director, Hardware Integration to set the technical direction for the organisation, define architectural standards, and make the hard technical calls that determine how the hardware-software boundary is drawn. You bring rare depth across the full stack, the judgment to know what matters and why, and the influence to drive alignment across engineering without relying on authority.
ResponsibilitiesShape the technical vision. Partner with the Software Engineering Director to set long-term technical direction across the OTPU stack and own the architectural integrity of that vision across the full development lifecycle.
Translate strategy into architecture. Work with the Director and cross-functional partners to translate long-term business direction into concrete architectural priorities, and identify where technical investments will have the highest leverage.
Set the architectural bar. Define the principles, interface contracts, and standards the organisation builds to , from firmware interfaces to photonic fabric bring-up, and ensure they hold across teams.
Make the hard calls. Own the technical decision-making at the hardware-software boundary: BSP and firmware architecture, ASIC validation methodology, BMC platform design, and interconnect fabric integration.
Lead through influence. Drive alignment across teams without direct authority - through rigour, clarity, and the quality of your technical thinking.
Own the full lifecycle. Lead technically across pre-silicon, post-silicon, and sustainment - from emulation and bring-up through to production reliability and field issue resolution.
Raise the technical ceiling. Mentor and stretch senior engineers across the organisation - not as a manager, but as a technical leader who holds the bar high and helps others reach it.
Proven track record delivering complex hardware-software integration architecture that has shipped, across multiple generations in large and fast-moving organizations.
Deep expertise across systems software, firmware, and hardware-software co-development — with hands-on experience in one or more of: ASIC bring-up and validation, BMC/firmware platforms, or high-speed interconnect fabrics.
Full lifecycle experience — you've worked hardware from pre-silicon through to production and understand the distinct engineering challenges at each phase: simulation and emulation, silicon bring-up, post-silicon debug and characterisation, and long-tail sustainment.
Track record driving technical outcomes in organisations with high reliability expectations, including robust observability, incident management, and close collaboration with hardware and silicon teams on field issues.
Outstanding technical communicator - you can articulate architectural decisions and their consequences clearly to engineers, managers, and senior leadership alike, and write design documents that become the reference point for the organisation.
Compensation & Equity
Competitive Salary: £195,000+, commensurate with your experience, skills, and location.
Equity & Ownership: Meaningful stock options. You’re not just joining the mission; you’re owning a piece of it.
Proximity Bonus: We value your time. To minimise your commute and maximise your life, we offer a £24k annual Living-Local Bonus if your residence is within 20 minutes of the office.
Health & Wellbeing
Premium Healthcare: Comprehensive BUPA medical and dental cover, including Medical History Disregarded (MHD), for complete peace of mind.
Time Off: 25 days of annual leave, plus all UK bank holidays.
The Workspace & Tech
Elite Hardware: M4 Macs come as standard, with M4 Pro upgrades for our engineering team. We will provide whatever you need to do your best work.
Optimal Environment: High-spec noise-cancelling headphones and a fully ergonomic workstation designed for deep focus.
Rapid Prototyping: Access to our high-performance 3D printing lab for work, experimentation, and personal creative projects.
Life at the Office
Chef-prepared meals: if you need to work late.
Caffeine on Us: We’ve got you covered with a tab at our favourite local coffee shop.
Relocation & Global Mobility
Visa Sponsorship: We hire the best in the world. We offer full UK and international visa sponsorship.
Seamless Relocation: Whether you’re moving across the country or across the globe, our dedicated relocation partner provides funding and concierge support to get you settled.
Due to U.S. export control regulations, candidates’ eligibility to work at OLIX depends on their most recent citizenship or permanent residency status. We are generally unable to consider applicants whose most recent citizenship or permanent residence is in certain restricted countries (currently including Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Venezuela). Applicants who have subsequently obtained citizenship or permanent residency in another country not subject to these restrictions may still be eligible.
