Sr Applications Engineer - 2288

Kioxia; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical benefits

401(k) matching

Pet insurance

Flexible work options

Job summary

KIOXIA America, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Sr.Applications Engineer to accelerate the development and market adoption of Managed Flash products.

You will serve as a technical bridge to ecosystem leaders, drive UFS standard enablement with SoC partners, and lead validation initiatives across diverse markets including mobile, automotive, PC, AI, and IoT. The role requires strong technical expertise in flash memory, storage protocols, and SoC architectures, with exceptional collaboration and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in memory/storage, or 3+ years with a Master’s degree.
• Strong background in flash memory technologies, storage protocols (UFS/JEDEC), and SoC architectures.
• Ecosystem experience across mobile, automotive, PC, AI, or IoT via validation processes.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Partner & SoC alignment: drive technical and roadmap alignment with SoC design teams; enable new UFS standards with partners.
• Storage validation & support: oversee joint validation processes with ecosystem leaders for compatibility and performance.
• Cross-functional execution: coordinate with HQ engineering, Sales, PM, Technical Marketing, and Business Ops for deliverables.
• Standards & industry engagement: participate in JEDEC and influence next-gen specifications.
• Technical marketing & demos: plan and execute joint marketing activities and live demos for major conferences.
• Application engineering: provide technical support and guidance for Managed Flash customers.
• Relationship building: travel domestically and internationally to build relationships with engineering teams and customers.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

UFS/JEDEC standards

SoC architectures

Flash memory technologies

Job description

KIOXIA America, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of KIOXIA Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs). From the invention of flash memory to today’s breakthrough BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory technology, KIOXIA continues to pioneer innovative memory, SSD and software solutions that enrich people’s lives and expand society’s horizons. The company’s innovative BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory technology is shaping the future of storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotive, and data centers.

Job Description

Position Summary

KIOXIA America Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Sr.Applications Engineer to accelerate the development and market adoption of our Managed Flash products within the technology ecosystem. This pivotal role requires a unique blend of technical acumen, strategic negotiation, and relationship management.

As the primary technical bridge between KIOXIA and world-class ecosystem leaders, you will drive UFS standard enablement with strategic SoC partners, ensure roadmap alignment, and lead storage validation initiatives. You will work across a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge markets—including smartphones, PCs, AR/VR, automotive, Physical AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies—to manage ecosystem strategy at both a tactical and strategic level.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner & SoC Alignment: Drive and manage technical and roadmap alignment between KIOXIA and strategic SoC design teams; enable new UFS standards with key partners.
• Storage Validation & Support: Oversee joint storage validation processes with ecosystem leaders to ensure product compatibility and performance.
• Cross-Functional Execution: Coordinate internally with HQ engineering teams, Sales, Product Management, Technical Marketing, and Business Operations to execute sample and product support deliverables that result in successful validations and reference design activity.
• Standards & Industry Engagement: Actively participate in JEDEC standard organizations to influence and stay ahead of next-generation specifications.
• Technical Marketing & Demos: Plan and execute joint marketing activities, and develop/present live product demonstrations for major industry conferences (e.g., FMS, CES).
• Application Engineering: Provide technical support and guidance for Managed Flash customers as assigned by management.
• Relationship Building: Travel domestically and internationally as required to build strong relationships with internal engineering teams and customers.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+years of experience with a Bachelor’s or 3+ years of experience with a Master’s degree
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in flash memory technologies, storage protocols (specifically UFS/JEDEC standards), and SoC architectures.
• Ecosystem Experience: Proven track record working with or supporting ecosystems across mobile, automotive, client PC, AI, or IoT segments through validation process.
• Strategic Execution: Ability to manage complex projects with exceptional attention to detail, balance multiple high-priority initiatives, and drive them to completion.
• Communication & Collaboration: Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, and customer service skills, with the ability to confidently interface with customers and executive-level industry leaders to present product roadmaps, educate and resolve technical issues.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success navigating internal teams to align product roadmap direction and support with business strategies.
• Fluency in both English and Japanese is preferred

Additional Information

Req#2288; #LI-MB1

The expected salary for this position is $112,000.00 -$186,670.00

At KIOXIA, we value the following:

• Investment in you
  • Offering opportunities for career growth and personal development training
• Open-minded management
  • Empowering employees by listening and responding to ideas, issues, and approaches
• Flexible work-life balance
  • Offering a generous PTO allotment, holiday shutdown, and flexible work options
• Diversity of cultures, perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of all our team members
  • Through our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, our focus is to strengthen our company culture to create more inclusion and belonging for all
• Benefits for our team members
  • Excellent medical and non-medical benefits, 401(k) matching, pet insurance

KIOXIA America, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.