Senior Firmware Engineer(FTL)

Programmers.io; Rancho Cordova (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

401(k) - Employer Match

Job summary

Programmers.io in Rancho Cordova, CA is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer (FTL) to design and maintain the Flash Translation Layer and drive firmware architecture for SSD controllers.

You will optimize FTL algorithms, implement block metadata management, ensure data integrity, and collaborate with Validation, Hardware, and ASIC teams to deliver robust, power-loss protected storage solutions.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• At least 3 years in software/firmware applications engineering and SSD controller/firmware architecture.
• Strong C/C++ programming and data structures experience.
• Hands-on with JTAG/ICE debuggers and firmware debugging.
• Experience with PCIe/NVMe or SATA protocols and wear protection concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain Flash Translation Layer (FTL) architecture with GC and wear leveling.
• Implement bad block detection, data migration, and metadata handling.
• Handle power-loss protection and recovery flows for data integrity.
• Optimize channel/die/plane scheduling, DRAM/SRAM usage, and reduce write amplification.
• Develop FTL traces, perform stress tests, and collaborate with Validation, Hardware, and ASIC teams.

Skills

SSD controller architecture

C/C++ programming

FTL algorithms

JTAG/ICE debugging

NAND/SSD technologies

Education

Master's degree in EE/CE/CS or related

Tools

Git

Job description

Job Description

We have partnered with a large Semiconductor Manufacturing and Technology Services in the Rancho Cordova, CA area to provide them with an Senior Firmware Engineer(FTL).

Prioritized Must Have Skills for the Senior Firmware Engineer(FTL):

• #1. 3+ years of experience in SSD controller and firmware architecture, including FTL development.
• #2. Strong C/C++ programming and data structures experience in software/firmware development.
• #3. Hands-on experience with FTL algorithms, including Garbage Collection, Wear Leveling, bad block management, metadata handling, and NAND error management.
• #4. Hands-on experience with JTAG/ICE debugging and firmware debugging, validation, and root-cause analysis.
• #5. Strong understanding of NAND flash and SSD technologies, including PCIe/NVMe or SATA protocols and power-loss protection/recovery.

Responsibilities of the Senior Firmware Engineer(FTL):

• Design and Maintain FTL Architecture
  • Develop and maintain the Flash Translation Layer (FTL), including I/O flow, Garbage Collection, and Wear Leveling algorithms to ensure data integrity and maximize NAND endurance.
• Block Management and Metadata Handling
  • Implement bad block detection, isolation, and data migration mechanisms to manage block lifecycle.
  • Design robust metadata structures to support fast mapping table reconstruction and system boot.
• Error Handling Mechanisms
  • Prevent and mitigate NAND-related issues such as read disturb, program/erase failures, and retention loss.
  • Implement RAID encode/decode flows to guarantee data reliability.
• Power-Loss Protection
  • Design and implement power-loss protection algorithms to maintain data consistency and metadata integrity during unexpected shutdowns.
  • Verify and optimize power-loss recovery flow to ensure fast and reliable system startup.
• Performance and Resource Optimization
  • Optimize channel/die/plane access scheduling and parallelism to improve throughput and reduce latency.
  • Enhance DRAM/SRAM usage efficiency and reduce Write Amplification for better endurance and performance.
• Debugging and Validation
  • Develop and analyze FTL traces and logs for performance profiling and issue root-cause analysis.
  • Conduct stress testing, mixed workload testing, power-fail tests, and corner-case verification to ensure firmware stability and reliability.
  • Collaborate with Validation, Hardware, and ASIC teams to resolve cross-functional issues and ensure system robustness.

Requirements of the Senior Firmware Engineer(FTL):

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in software/firmware applications engineering.
• At least 3 years of experience with SSD controller/firmware architecture.
• Strong experience in C/C++ programming and data structures.
• Hands-on experience with JTAG/ICE debuggers.
• Experience with version control software such as Git.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a small team.
• Must be willing to learn quickly and work effectively as a team player.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation skills for communication and documentation.
• Ability to work independently with minimal day-to-day supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and bus protocol analyzers.
• Familiarity with SATA/PCIe (NVMe) protocols.
• Familiarity with NAND flash protocols.
• Linux system debugging experience.
• Fluency in reading and writing Mandarin preferred.

Other Key Requirements:

• Onsite opportunity.
• No Corp-to-Corp (C2C) arrangements.
• Visa sponsorship may be available on a case-by-case basis for qualified candidates whose skills and experience align with the requirements of the position.
• Relocation assistance may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits of the Senior Firmware Engineer(FTL):

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k) - Employer Match