Staff Engineer, Validation (SSD)

Job Title

Staff Engineer, Validation (SSD)

Role Summary

Lead design and execution of end-to-end firmware test architecture and quality validation for enterprise, data-center, and automotive SSD products. Drive automation, CI/CD, reliability validation, and resolution of critical firmware issues to support mass production.

Experience Level

Senior - typically requires at least 8 years of SSD firmware test/development experience, or a minimum of 3 years in a test architect or technical leader role.

Responsibilities

Accountable for SSD firmware validation strategy, test architecture, automation and delivery of production-quality products.

• Own validation strategy, test architecture and quality systems for enterprise SSD firmware.
• Design and implement tests for functionality, performance, reliability, QoS, PLP, FTL, GC, power and security.
• Build and optimize automation frameworks, long-stability test systems and CI/CD pipelines to support mass validation.
• Lead root-cause analysis and closure of critical firmware issues such as hangs, drops, performance degradation and compatibility failures.
• Participate in product architecture reviews and advise on firmware design, NAND selection and reliability targets.
• Drive test team capability improvements, process optimization and technical standardization.
• Track and evaluate new storage technologies (PCIe 5.0/6.0, NVMe 2.0, ZNS, CXL, automotive/industrial storage).
• Integrate AI-assisted tools and insights into workflows to improve efficiency and quality.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, experience, and leadership required to design and deliver SSD validation at scale. Preferred items listed separately.

• Minimum 8 years SSD firmware test/development experience, or minimum 3 years as a test architect/technical leader.
• Deep expertise with NVMe, PCIe, SATA protocols and SSD core technologies (FTL, GC, WL, PLP, NAND Flash).
• Proficient in Linux and programming for test automation: Python, C, Shell.
• Experience developing automation frameworks and using test tools such as Fio, nvme-cli, PyNVMe.
• Experience with HW/FW co-debugging, reliability validation and mass-production test systems.
• Strong system/architecture design, analytical problem-solving and cross-team leadership skills.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with enterprise/data-center/automotive SSDs, ZNS, CXL, NVMe-oF, Secure Boot or ASIL.
• Experience leading end-to-end test system or team setup for mass production.
• Storage-related patents or publications.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronics, Microelectronics or related field is stated; role expects significant SSD validation experience (see Requirements) and also considers candidates with equivalent professional experience (explicitly: 8 years SSD firmware test/development experience or 3 years as a test architect/technical leader).

About the Company

Company: Micron Technology

Headquarters: Boise, Idaho, USA

Micron Technology is a global leader in memory and storage solutions, dedicated to transforming how the world uses information. The company offers a diverse portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND, and NOR memory products under the Micron and Crucial brands. With a commitment to customer focus and technological innovation, Micron drives advancements in artificial intelligence, 5G, and other data-centric applications, empowering users to learn, communicate, and progress.