Principal Engineer, Firmware & Product Test

Micron Technology; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

Paid time-off

Paid holidays

Income protection programs for illness

Paid family leave

Job summary

Micron Technology seeks a Principal Test Development Engineer to lead firmware validation and drive automation improvements across NVMe front-end features. You will mentor engineers, define validation strategies, and promote testability with firmware architects, leveraging AI-enabled workflows for efficiency.

The role emphasizes scalable Python-based automation, CI/CD integration, and rigorous failure analysis across multiple SSD programs, in a collaborative hardware/software environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 8+ years, or a PhD with 6+ years
• Expert-level Python programming experience with proven success building production-quality test automation frameworks
• Strong experience validating NVMe front-end features, including SMART, Admin Commands, Namespace Management, and OCP functionality
• Demonstrated expertise in failure analysis, root-cause investigation, log analysis, and defect documentation
• Deep understanding of test architecture, automation strategy, validation methodologies, and AI-enabled engineering tools

Responsibilities

• Lead verification strategy, test planning, automation, and coverage closure for NVMe front-end firmware features across multiple product lines
• Architect and enhance scalable Python-based test automation frameworks, CI/CD integration, regression infrastructure, and reporting capabilities
• Drive root-cause analysis and failure triage using firmware traces, protocol analyzers, system logs, and structured debug methodologies
• Define validation standards, review test code, mentor engineers, and promote standard methodologies in automation and quality
• Partner with firmware architects and multi-functional teams to influence testability requirements, communicate risks, and leverage AI-enabled workflows to improve efficiency

Skills

Python programming

NVMe front-end features validation

Failure analysis

AI-enabled engineering tools

Rust or C

Linux/Windows administration

CI/CD tooling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Protocol analyzers

Job description

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 Firmware & Product Test (FPT) team plays a critical role in delivering high-quality enterprise SSD solutions by ensuring firmware functionality, reliability, and compliance. We work across simulation, FPGA, and hardware environments to validate modern storage technologies, build scalable automation, and drive continuous improvement in validation methodologies. Our team values technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation, including the use of AI-enabled tools to enhance engineering productivity and quality.

As a Principal Test Development Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader for firmware validation, defining verification strategies, advancing automation frameworks, and driving complex failure analysis efforts. This role offers the opportunity to influence product quality across multiple SSD programs while mentoring engineers and partnering closely with firmware architects to improve testability and validation effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Lead verification strategy, test planning, automation, and coverage closure for NVMe front-end firmware features across multiple product lines
• Architect and enhance scalable Python-based test automation frameworks, CI/CD integration, regression infrastructure, and reporting capabilities
• Drive root-cause analysis and failure triage using firmware traces, protocol analyzers, system logs, and structured debug methodologies
• Define validation standards, review test code, mentor engineers, and promote standard methodologies in automation and quality
• Partner with firmware architects and multi-functional teams to influence testability requirements, communicate risks, and leverage AI-enabled workflows to improve efficiency

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 8+ years, or a PhD with 6+ years
• Expert-level Python programming experience with proven success building production-quality test automation frameworks
• Strong experience validating NVMe front-end features, including SMART, Admin Commands, Namespace Management, and OCP functionality
• Demonstrated expertise in failure analysis, root-cause investigation, log analysis, and defect documentation
• Deep understanding of test architecture, automation strategy, validation methodologies, and AI-enabled engineering tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of NVMe and PCIe protocols and enterprise SSD firmware architectures
• Experience with NAND flash memory architecture, FTL concepts, and storage validation methodologies
• Proficiency in Rust or C and experience with firmware debug tools, protocol analyzers, and coyote event logs
• Working knowledge of Linux or Windows system administration, Git, and CI/CD environments
• Experience using AI tools such as Claude Code to create or verify code
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques for test optimization, anomaly detection, or intelligent failure triage in validation environments

The US base salary range that Micron Technology estimates it could pay for this full-time position is:

$145,000.00 - $286,000.00 a year

Additional compensation may include benefits, bonuses and equity.
Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location.The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target base pay for new hire salaries of the position across all US locations.Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional job-related factors, including knowledge, skills, experience, tenure and relevant education or training. The pay scale is subject to change depending on business needs.Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

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.

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, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

To learn more about Micron, please visit micron.com/careers.

Micron Prohibits the use of child labor and complies with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and other international and industry labor standards.

Micron does not charge candidates any recruitment fees or unlawfully collect any other payment from candidates as consideration for their employment with Micron.