Principal Hardware Engineer, SSD

Micron Technology; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Micron Technology seeks an experienced SSD Hardware Engineer to drive the development of next-generation SSD products. You will lead hardware architecture, SI/PI, and lab validation, with emphasis on PCIe, DDR, and high-speed interfaces.

This role requires hands-on debugging, system-level integration, and collaboration across firmware, validation, and manufacturing teams. The position involves DFx-driven design for high-volume production, mentorship, and applying AI-enabled optimization tools to

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure hardware builds meet firmware, system, performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Participate in system architecture definition, build reviews, requirements development, and product planning for SSD solutions.
• Conduct SI/PI analysis, simulation, validation, and characterization tasks.
• Document and present build results and recommendations to collaborators.
• Evaluate build proposals, perform engineering tradeoffs, and recommend efficient build solutions.
• Build hardware for high-volume manufacturing with DFx, cost optimization, reliability, and quality considerations.
• Own SSD hardware development through the full product lifecycle, including schematic capture, simulations, worst-case analysis, and production support.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Schematic capture tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

SPICE modeling

Job description

Job location in Longmont, CO or Boise, ID relocation will be provided.

Our Vision

Join Micron Technology and help transform how the world uses information to enrich life for all. As a world leader in memory and storage solutions, Micron is developing next-generation SSD technologies that power data centers, AI infrastructure, client computing, and intelligent edge applications.

We are seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented SSD Hardware Engineer to build the development of Micron's next-generation Solid State Drive (SSD) products. This position requires expertise in hardware architecture, high-speed digital composition, and system-level integration. The successful candidate will possess strong experience with PCIe, DDR, ONFI, and high-speed interface implementation, along with extensive hands‑on laboratory debugging and validation experience.

• As part of Micron's digital transformation strategy, engineers are encouraged to bring to bear and continuously develop skills in AI-enabled software development and intelligent automation. Preferred qualifications include:
• 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 tradeoff 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.
• 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.

Additional Job Description

• Performs design and development engineering assignments related to hardware products and systems including development of new products or updates to existing products. Work may encompass one or more areas of engineering including electronic design, mechanical design, or other related fields. Duties may include research, evaluation, development, and application of new processes and methods into products. May be responsible for establishing and conducting testing routines, developing or executing project plans, budgets, and schedules, and documentation of work and results.