Principal Engineer, Systems Design, SSD

The Principal Engineer leads SSD system design and architecture from concept through high-volume manufacturing. This role drives system definition, characterization strategies, and cross-functional execution to deliver products that meet customer, platform, and roadmap requirements. As a technical authority, the engineer resolves complex system challenges, influences product direction, mentor engineers, and advances engineering excellence through continuous improvement and AI-enabled innovation

Main Responsibilities

• Lead system-level design definition, architecture reviews, and technical decision-making for SSD products to ensure alignment with product roadmaps and customer requirements.

• Drive resolution of complex multi-domain technical issues spanning firmware, hardware, and system interactions using structured root-cause methodologies and data-driven debugging techniques.

• Define and implement characterization strategies for SSD performance, power, thermal behavior, and reliability throughout product development phases.

• Act as a primary technical interface with executive stakeholders, customers, and global engineering teams to influence technical direction and execution.

• Lead cross-functional engineering activities that improve product quality, manufacturability, reliability, and customer readiness.

Other Responsibilities

• Lead lessons-learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen SSD development methodologies and engineering effectiveness.

• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance to develop organizational capability and technical depth.

• Drive alignment across architecture, firmware, hardware, validation, and product engineering teams to achieve program objectives.

• Provide technical risk assessments, roadmap recommendations, and status updates to leadership stakeholders.

AI Responsibilities

• Integrates AI-assisted tools and insights into daily work to improve efficiency, quality, or effectiveness, exercising sound judgment and complying with organizational standards and legal requirements.

• Contributes to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying, testing, and sharing AI-enabled enhancements within one's scope of work.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent.

• Over 6 years experience in SSD system design, architecture, or product development.

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in SSD architecture, controller design, flash translation layer (FTL), wear leveling, NAND lifecycle management, and storage subsystems.

• Strong knowledge of PCIe and NVMe protocols, SSD performance optimization, and system-level behavior.

• Experience with system-level design, debug, characterization, and validation across product development phases.

• Hands-on expertise with lab instrumentation and board-level debug.

Soft Skills

• Technical leadership through influence and ability to drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Structured problem-solving and strategic decision-making for complex engineering challenges.

• Clear executive-level communication and presentation skills.

• Mentoring, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with SSD ASIC development, firmware integration, and system-level co-design.

• Strong programming capability in Python, C++, Bash, or similar languages for automation and analysis.

• Experience with system-level power and thermal optimization.

• Experience leading global engineering teams and engaging directly with customers.

Embody Micron's Core Values

• People - Respect, develop, and empower others

• Innovation - Drive continuous improvement and breakthrough thinking

• Tenacity - Show grit and determination

• Collaboration - Build trust and foster teamwork

• Customer Focus - Deliver excellence and value

• Speed - Act with purpose and set the pace