Principal Engineer, SSD Validation

Req. ID:

JR108821 Principal Engineer, SSD Validation

Our vision is to transform how the world uses information to enrich life for all.

Micron Technology is a world leader in innovating memory and storage solutions that accelerate the transformation of information into intelligence, inspiring the world to learn, communicate and advance faster than ever.

The Principal Engineer, SSD Validation provides technical leadership for SSD firmware validation and test architecture across enterprise, data center, and automotive SSD products. This role owns validation strategy, automation frameworks, and quality systems that ensure product reliability, performance, scalability, and manufacturing readiness. The position leads cross-functional collaboration to resolve complex firmware issues, influences product and validation roadmaps, and drives continuous improvement in test efficiency through automation, CI/CD integration, and AI-assisted engineering practices.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead SSD firmware test architecture, validation strategy, and quality systems for enterprise SSD products.

• Design and implement validation solutions covering functionality, performance, reliability, QoS, power loss protection (PLP), flash translation layer (FTL), garbage collection (GC), power management, and security features.

• Build and optimize automation frameworks, long-duration stability test systems, and CI/CD validation pipelines to support large-scale qualification and production readiness.

• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex firmware issues, including system hangs, drive drops, compatibility failures, and performance degradation.

• Define validation methodologies, metrics, and coverage plans to improve product quality, reliability, and release confidence.

• Drive alignment across firmware, hardware, NAND, system engineering, and quality teams to resolve technical challenges and improve validation effectiveness.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers through knowledge sharing, standards development, and best-practice adoption.

• Participate in product architecture reviews and influence firmware design, NAND technology selection, reliability targets, and validation readiness decisions.

• Drive process optimization, test standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives across validation workflows.

• Maintain awareness of emerging storage technologies including PCIe 5.0/6.0, NVMe 2.0, Zoned Namespaces (ZNS), CXL, and automotive storage requirements.

AI Responsibilities

• Leverage AI-assisted tools, large language models (LLMs), and intelligent agents to improve validation efficiency, data analysis, automation development, and engineering quality while complying with organizational standards and legal requirements.

• Identify, evaluate, and share AI-enabled process improvements that enhance validation coverage, issue detection, productivity, and knowledge management.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics or equivalent.

• Over 8 years’ experience in SSD firmware validation or development experience

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in NVMe, PCIe, and SATA protocols, as well as SSD technologies that include FTL, GC, wear leveling, PLP, and NAND Flash.

• Strong proficiency in Linux environments, Python, C, Shell scripting, and automated test framework development.

• Hands-on experience with storage validation tools such as Fio, nvme-cli, PyNVMe, and related debug and performance analysis utilities.

• Experience in firmware and hardware co-debugging, reliability validation, and manufacturing or mass-production test systems.

• Structured root cause analysis, quality engineering, and validation coverage methodologies for complex storage systems.

Soft Skills

• Strong technical leadership and ability to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Structured problem-solving and data-driven decision-making for complex engineering challenges.

• Clear technical communication, documentation, and presentation skills.

• Ability to mentor engineers and drive alignment across geographically distributed teams.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with enterprise, data center, or automotive SSD products, including ZNS, CXL, NVMe-oF, Secure Boot, or functional safety (ASIL) environments.

• Experience establishing end-to-end validation systems, automation platforms, or teams supporting product qualification and mass production.

• Storage-related patents, publications, or recognized technical contributions.

Embody Micron’s Core Values

• People – Respect, develop, and empower others

• Innovation – Drive continuous improvement and breakthrough thinking

• Tenacity – Show grit and determination

• Collaboration – Build trust and foster teamwork

• Customer Focus – Deliver excellence and value

• Speed – Act with purpose and set the pace

Job Profile(s):

Product Development Engineer 5

Relocation level: (TBD)

Before Getting Started

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• If you are selected to interview for a position, you must notify your direct supervisor before participating in the interview process.

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As a world leader in the semiconductor industry, Micron is dedicated to your personal wellbeing and professional growth. Micron benefits are designed to help you stay well, provide peace of mind and help you prepare for the future. We offer a choice of medical, dental and vision plans in all locations enabling team members to select the plans that best meet their family healthcare needs and budget. Micron also provides benefit programs that help protect your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury, and paid family leave. Additionally, Micron benefits include a robust paid time-off program and paid holidays. For additional information regarding the Benefit programs available, please see the Benefits Guide posted on Benefits | Micron Technology, Inc

Micron is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.