Principal Hardware Engineer, SSD

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. AI & Intelligent Systems 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.

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.