Principal Hardware Engineer, SSD

Micron Technology; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 164,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Micron Technology in Colorado seeks an experienced hardware engineer to lead SSD hardware development from schematic capture through production support.

You will collaborate with firmware, validation, and manufacturing teams to define architecture, perform SI/PI analysis, and optimize for cost, reliability, and quality across high‑volume builds.

This role requires 5+ years in SSD/high‑performance computing hardware, strong signal integrity and PCB design skills, and mentoring abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years hardware build experience in SSD/storage/high-performance computing systems.
• Experience with board bring-up, soldering, hardware debugging, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and schematic/layout review.
• Experience within the semiconductor, storage, or related technology industries.
• Proven ability to lead engineering projects and drive execution through completion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet firmware, system, performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Participate in system architecture definition, build reviews, requirements, and product planning for SSD solutions.
• Conduct signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) analysis, simulation, validation, and characterization.
• Document, communicate, and present build results to collaborators.
• Evaluate and analyze build proposals, perform engineering trade-off studies, and recommend efficient build solutions.
• Build hardware for high-volume manufacturing, incorporating Design for Excellence (DFx), cost optimization, reliability, and quality considerations.
• Own SSD hardware development activities throughout the complete product lifecycle, including schematic capture, simulations, worst‑case analysis, component derating, validation, and production support.
• Define PCB stack‑up specifications, signal transmission methods, component arrangement approaches, routing limitations, and board‑level signal integrity/power integrity considerations.
• Work closely with firmware, validation, manufacturing, reliability, and customer support teams during development, qualification, and RMA investigations.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineers at early career stages and peers.
• Leverage AI‑based tools and automation technologies to accelerate build, validation, debug, and engineering workflows.

Skills

Signal integrity

Power integrity

High-speed PCB design

Schematic capture

PCB layout

EMI/ESD mitigation

Measurement with oscilloscopes

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SPICE

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

PCIe test equipment

Schematic capture tools

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.

AI & Intelligent Systems

• Practical experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into applications, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and advanced inference services.
• Knowledge of agentic architectures and autonomous software agents capable of reasoning, planning, and accomplishing multi-step workflows.
• Experience developing AI solutions using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), tool chaining, task orchestration, and context-aware decision systems.
• Understanding of Responsible AI practices, including model evaluation, observability, governance, and secure deployment.
• Ability to identify and implement opportunities where automation can improve engineering productivity, build efficiency, debugging effectiveness, and business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure hardware builds meet all firmware, system, performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Participate in system architecture definition, build reviews, requirements development, and product planning activities for SSD solutions.
• Conduct signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) analysis, simulation, validation, and characterization tasks.
• Document, communicate, and present build results and recommendations to collaborators.
• Evaluate and analyze build proposals, perform engineering trade‑off studies, and recommend efficient build solutions.
• Build hardware for high‑volume manufacturing, incorporating Design for Excellence (DFx), cost optimization, reliability, and quality considerations.
• Own SSD hardware development activities throughout the complete product lifecycle, including schematic capture, simulations, worst‑case analysis, component derating, validation, and production support.
• Define PCB stack‑up specifications, signal transmission methods, component arrangement approaches, routing limitations, and board‑level signal integrity/power integrity considerations.
• Work closely with firmware, validation, manufacturing, reliability, and customer support teams during development, qualification, and RMA investigations.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineers at early career stages and peers.
• Leverage AI‑based tools and automation technologies to accelerate build, validation, debug, and engineering workflows.

Required Skills & Proficiencies

• Self‑motivated, diligent, and meticulous with a strong desire to solve complex technical challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of transmission line theory and high‑speed signal propagation fundamentals.
• Solid knowledge of time‑domain and frequency‑domain analysis techniques.
• Extensive experience with high‑speed PCB build, routing reviews, power distribution networks, and EMI/ESD mitigation techniques.
• Experience crafting solutions for signal integrity and power integrity in high‑performance systems.
• Analog circuit build and simulation experience using SPICE or equivalent modeling tools.
• Familiarity with automated test methodologies and test automation frameworks is preferred.
• Hands‑on SI laboratory experience measuring high‑bandwidth signals (20–35 GHz range).
• Experience using PCIe compliance equipment and validation methodologies.
• Proficiency with schematic capture tools, PCB layout constraints, and board‑level build verification.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and contribute to technical development within the team.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience, is required.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering or a related subject area preferred.
• 5+ years of hardware build experience in SSD, storage, or high‑performance computing systems.
• Experience with board bring‑up, soldering, hardware debugging, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and schematic/layout review.
• Experience within the semiconductor, storage, or related technology industries.
• Proven ability to lead engineering projects and drive execution through completion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• SSD controller, NAND flash, or storage system architecture experience.
• Expertise in PCIe Gen4/Gen5/Gen6 technologies.
• Familiarity with DDR memory subsystems and ONFI interfaces.
• Experience applying AI‑assisted engineering tools to product development, validation, and debugging workflows.

The US base salary range that Micron Technology estimates it could pay for this full‑time position is: $164,000.00 - $280,000.00 a year. Additional compensation may include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Micron offers a choice of medical, dental, and vision plans in all locations, benefit programs that protect your income, paid family leave, a robust paid time‑off program, and paid holidays. For additional information regarding our benefit programs, please see the Benefits Guide posted on micron.com/careers/benefits.

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.

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.

AI alert: Candidates are encouraged to use AI tools to enhance their resume and/or application materials. However, all information provided must be accurate and reflect the candidate's true skills and experiences. Misuse of AI to fabricate or misrepresent qualifications will result in immediate disqualification.

Fraud alert: Micron advises job seekers to be cautious of unsolicited job offers and to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from Micron by checking the official Micron careers website.