Operations Tech Lead

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.
This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.
Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.

We’re looking for a Operations Tech Lead to lead technical execution across new product introduction and production ramp for next-generation computing systems. Sitting within Operations, you’ll combine hardware engineering depth with manufacturing expertise to influence product design, drive factory readiness, and scale products with quality and cost discipline. You’ll work closely with engineering, operations, and manufacturing partners while helping shape a growing NPI function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the cross-functional Operations Technical Team to drive NPI programs from early design planning through factory builds and production ramp.

• Partner with hardware and design engineers to improve manufacturability, assembly, test, and serviceability before designs are finalized.

• Own the integrated technical risk and readiness assessment across hardware, software, manufacturing processes, test, materials, capacity, and quality.

• Lead Build Readiness Reviews and deliver clear, evidence-based go, conditional-go, or hold recommendations to the build owner.

• Establish technical priorities, accountable owners, and recovery plans, escalating risks and decisions when needed.

• Lead factory technical triage, coordinating containment, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and verification with the responsible engineering and quality teams.

• Coordinate readiness for engineering changes, alternate components, and second sources with the appropriate functional approval owners.

• Turn build results, yield trends, and failure analysis into lessons and improvements that strengthen subsequent builds and production scale.

Skills and Qualifications

1. Hardware engineering depth: A strong engineering foundation and hands-on experience with complex hardware, ideally including design or systems engineering.

2. NPI and manufacturing experience: A track record of taking hardware through factory builds, new product introduction, and production ramp.

3. Design influence: The technical credibility to challenge design assumptions and improve manufacturability, testability, quality, and cost.

4. Cross-functional technical leadership: Experience aligning engineering, operations, suppliers, and manufacturing partners around clear priorities and accountable execution.

5. Hardware problem-solving: Practical expertise in debug, failure analysis, root cause, and verified corrective action.

6. Readiness and risk judgment: Experience assessing build readiness, managing configuration and change impacts, and making sound recommendations with incomplete information.

7. Clear, decisive communication: The ability to explain technical tradeoffs, communicate difficult risks to senior leaders, and drive decisions and issue closure.
   

Location: Sunnyvale, CA

The base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $250,000 annually. Actual compensation may include bonus and equity, and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

Why Join Cerebras

People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras, we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:

1. Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.

2. Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.

3. Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.

4. Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.

5. Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.

Find out more about what it's like to work at Cerebras here!

Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!

Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.

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