Field Application Engineer, NAND/SSD

SK hynix America; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top Tier health insurance at no cost

Paid time off and holidays

401k Matching

FSA for Health Care & Dependent Care

Educational reimbursement up to $10,0

Donation Matching

Corporate discounts

Free Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Job summary

SK hynix America is seeking a Field Application Engineer for NAND/SSD to be based onsite in San Jose, CA. The role aligns product roadmaps with customer architectures and leads qualification efforts worldwide, acting as the technical liaison across Sales, Planning and Marketing.

Ideal candidates have 2–10 years in customer-facing technical roles, with strong data center and NAND flash knowledge, plus English and Korean language skills preferred.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 2–10 years of customer-facing technical experience (FAE/Systems/Validation).
• Solid knowledge of Data Center architectures, Enterprise Storage, and NAND flash.
• Fluency in English and Korean preferred.

Responsibilities

• Align SK hynix product roadmaps with customer system architectures, serving as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams (Sales, Planning, Marketing).
• Lead end-to-end qualification activities for global customers and ODMs, including datasheets, samples, and validation reports.
• Serve as the single point of contact (SPOC) for technical issues, leading Failure Analysis (FA) and providing status updates to customers.
• Drive validation activities with controller partners to ensure successful integration of SK hynix NAND products.

Skills

Communication

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

English/Korean bilingual

Education

B.S. in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

Job description

Job Title: Field Application Engineer, NAND/SSD

Office Location: San Jose, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Model: Onsite

About SK hynix America

At SK hynix America, we're at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, developing advanced memory solutions that power everything from smartphones to data centers. As a global leader in DRAM and NAND flash technologies, we drive the evolution of advancing mobile technology, empowering cloud computing, and pioneering future technologies. Our cutting-edge memory technologies are essential in today's most advanced electronic devices and IT infrastructure, enabling enhanced performance and user experiences across the digital landscape. We're looking for innovative minds to join our mission of shaping the future of technology. At SK hynix America, you'll be part of a team that's pioneering breakthrough memory solutions while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. We're not just adapting to technological change - we're driving it, with significant investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and eco-friendly solutions and operational practices. As we continue to expand our market presence and push the boundaries of what's possible in semiconductor technology, we invite you to be part of our journey to creating the next generation of memory solutions that will define the future of computing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Alignment & Customer Engagement
  • Align SK hynix product roadmaps with customer system architectures, serving as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams (Sales, Planning, Marketing).
  • Present technical roadmaps (component, feature, product) to customer engineering teams and management to articulate data center solutions.
  • Analyze customer system roadmaps and technical requirements to define internal product strategies.
  • Provide competitive analysis and market insights on product roadmaps, technology, and qualification status based on customer feedback.
  • Maintain high customer service levels by effectively balancing customer requests with SK hynix business goals.
• Qualification & Project Management
  • Manage end-to-end qualification activities for global customers and ODMs, including datasheets, samples, and validation reports.
  • Lead cross-functional teams to execute qualification plans at customer and ODM sites, ensuring adherence to timelines and specifications.
  • Coordinate sample schedules and validation milestones with customers and internal teams to secure design wins.
• Technical Support & Issue Resolution
  • Serve as the single point of contact (SPOC) for technical issues, leading Failure Analysis (FA) and providing status updates to customers.
  • Handle Customer Quality and RMA processes, driving root cause analysis and preventive actions.
• Controller Partnership & Validation
  • Drive validation activities with controller partners to ensure successful integration of SK hynix NAND products.
  • Define functional requirements for controller validation, aligning specs with data center application needs (AI/ML, Cloud, Enterprise).
  • Collaborate with controller partners to execute validation plans, test scenarios, and resolve technical issues for design wins.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

B.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

Professional experience in a customer-facing technical role (e.g., FAE, Technical Account Manager, Systems/Validation Engineer). Ideal candidates typically have 2-10 years of relevant experience, but exceptional talent at all levels is welcome.

Technical Knowledge

Solid understanding of Data Center architectures, Enterprise Storage systems, and NAND flash technologies. Knowledge of NVMe/NVMe-oF protocols and SSD controllers is required.

Prior experience in a customer support role (FAE, Systems Engineer) for NAND flash or SSD products is preferred. Experience with Hyperscalers or ODMs is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical details to engineers and management both in writing and verbally.

Proven ability to manage priorities and lead cross-functional teams to meet deadlines.

Strong analytical skills for troubleshooting technical issues and optimizing system performance.

Fluency in English and Korean (written and spoken) is preferred.

Benefits:

• Top Tier health insurance at no employee cost
• Paid day offs: Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Parental Leave, Happy Fridays
• 401k Matching
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Health Care & Dependent Care
• Educational reimbursement up to $10,000 per year
• Donation Matching and volunteering opportunities
• Corporate discount programs
• Free Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided to employees

Equal Employment Opportunity:

SKHYA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to