Senior Director of IT
SambaNova Systems
Salary undisclosed
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Description
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.
About the team
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.
About the role
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
Required qualifications
- 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
Preferred qualifications
- 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.
Benefits
- health insurance
- stock options
About this role
SambaNova is building infrastructure for next-generation AI, and this role puts you in charge of the IT operations that keep that mission running. You'll lead the full stack—from on-prem and cloud servers to employee laptops, identity management, and security operations—while also partnering closely with engineering teams on DevOps tooling and CI/CD infrastructure. The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on technical work; you'll set direction and grow the team, but you'll also configure systems, troubleshoot outages, and write automation yourself when needed.
This is a genuine hybrid of infrastructure, security, and end-user IT at a hardware-focused company. You need at least 10 years in IT operations and 5+ years leading teams, with proven experience running both backend systems and a security program. Hands-on skills matter: Linux, Windows, macOS administration, identity platforms like Okta or Entra ID, DevOps tools like Terraform and Kubernetes, and MDM. If you've scaled IT through rapid growth at a startup or supported hardware and HPC environments, that background is particularly valuable here.
The position is full-time and in-office in Austin. SambaNova offers standard tech-company benefits including strong medical coverage, equity, and wellness perks.
How this employer is doing
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Pay for this role
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