Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Job Description

This is a "full-stack" ML systems role for a senior individual contributor and technical architect. You will be responsible for designing the complete ML ecosystem for our edge devices, from the cloud-native MLOps platform down to the bare-metal model optimization. 

This unique role blends three key domains: 

1. MLOps & Data: You will architect the entire data lifecycle, including our CI/CD pipelines, data-labeling loops, and on-device monitoring. 

1. Agentic & Edge AI: You will lead the design of autonomous agents that run on our edge devices, using domain knowledge in log analysis and computer vision. 

1. Systems & Hardware: You will be the "hardware-aware" expert, bridging our ML software with our silicon team to ensure our models are hyper-optimized for our custom NPU. 

You are the engineer who will not only build our ML platform but also design the intelligent agents it deploys and ensure they run faster and more securely than anyone else's. 

Key Responsibilities 

Architecture & Leadership: 

• Act as a senior individual contributor, leading by example with hands-on coding, design, and analysis across the entire ML stack. 

• Define the end-to-end architecture for our MLOps, agentic AI, and model optimization strategy. 

MLOps & Data Platform: 

• Design and implement our data processing and versioning pipelines, ensuring data integrity and traceability. 

• Build the infrastructure for our Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) and AI-in-the-Loop (Active Learning) data labeling systems to continuously improve our datasets. 

• Develop a comprehensive, lightweight on-device monitoring system to track not just operational metrics but also inference quality and concept drift. 

Agentic & Edge Development: 

• Design and development of autonomous agents that operate on our resource-constrained edge devices. 

• Integrate deep domain knowledge, including real-time log analysis, computer vision, and interaction with open-source system tools. 

Security & Optimization: 

• Define and implement the complete security and verification framework for our edge models. This includes MCP/A2A-like secure protocols, MCP authentication, entity verification (e.g., model signing), and model injection prevention. 

• Serve as the primary technical bridge to our silicon teams. Collaborate with RTL designers to influence future NPU and FPGA architecture from an ML software perspective. 

• Lead R&D on model optimization for our specific AI inference engine, applying both graph-level (e.g., operator fusion) and OP-level (e.g., custom ops) techniques. 

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years of hands-on experience in machine learning, with a proven track record as a senior or staff-level individual contributor. 

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). 

• Expert-level programming in Python and deep experience with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow). 

• Deep theoretical understanding of modern ML algorithms (e.g., Transformers). 

• A strong foundational understanding of computer architecture, digital logic, and the role of RTL (Verilog/VHDL) in the hardware design lifecycle. 

• Proven experience architecting and building end-to-end MLOps lifecycles, from data ingestion to production monitoring and labeling loops. 

• Proven experience developing agentic systems or applications using LLMs. 

• Demonstrable domain knowledge in log analysis AND/OR computer vision. 

• Experience with on-device model security (verification, anti-injection) and secure communication protocols. 

• Hands-on experience optimizing models for hardware (NPUs, GPUs) at graph and operator levels. 

Preferred Qualifications (The "Plus" Factors) 

• Direct experience with ML compilers such as Apache TVM or MLIR. 

• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes (K8s) for MLOps (e.g., Kubeflow, Argo). 

• Familiarity with GPU scheduling and virtualization platforms like Run:AI. 

• Deep experience with embedded system development (C++, Rust, Yocto). 

• Familiarity with the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA). 

• Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure). 

Additional Information

Axiado is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the highest caliber talent in a diverse and multifaceted environment. We are headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, with access to the world's leading research, technology and talent.

We are building an exceptional team to secure every node on the internet. For us, solving real-world problems takes precedence over purely theoretical problems. As a result, we prefer individuals with persistence, intelligence and high curiosity over pedigree alone. Working hard and smart, continuous learning and mutual support are all part of who we are.

Axiado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Axiado does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Company Description

Axiado is building the future of AI powered digital infrastructure. We are a fast-growing, well funded silicon, systems, and solutions company pioneering a new category of semiconductor called the Trusted Control/Compute Unit (TCU) that combines advanced hardware security, AI driven resilience and efficiency, and real-time platform management. Our technology protects the world’s most critical infrastructure—from data centers to next generation cloud and AI platforms—by securing systems at the foundation levels of hardware, independent of host CPUs and operating systems. 

Founded in 2019 and now over 150 employees are strong, Axiado has evolved into a recognized leader in the convergence of AI, security, and silicon innovation. We partner with and are actively engaged in commercial programs with multiple Tier 1 industry leaders, validating both our technology and our long-term market trajectory. Axiado has also won numerous industry awards for our ground-breaking products and technological innovations, including being named one of Fast Company’s 2025 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Security, winning the 2025 Global InfoSec Award for Outstanding AI Security Solution, and being named a finalist for the Global Semiconductor Alliance’s 2025 “Start-Up to Watch” award. 

At Axiado, developing breakthrough technology takes more than great engineering—it takes a team of exceptional people who collaborate boldly, challenge assumptions, and take pride in building what comes next. We value curiosity, execution, respect, and a shared desire to make a meaningful impact on the security and reliability of the digital world. 

If you’re driven to innovate, energized by hard problems, and excited to help define the future of secure AI infrastructure, we invite you to apply and join us on this journey.