Staff Customer Qualification Engineer - 2281

Kioxia • Folsom, CA

5d

About The Position

KIOXIA America, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Validation Engineer to drive solid-state drive qualification within server platform environments. The role focuses on validating SSD functionality, performance, reliability, and system integration in a datacenter test lab. It requires a strong foundation in server architecture, SSD technologies, PCIe/NVMe protocols, Linux-based debugging, and hardware and firmware validation. The engineer will collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, system, and quality engineering teams to identify issues, conduct root cause analysis, and ensure products meet customer and industry requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to interpret, develop, and execute test plans based on SSD industry specifications.
• Intermediate understanding of PCIe and NVMe protocols and general knowledge of SSD firmware architecture.
• Strong understanding of server architecture, hardware components, and system-level integration.
• Experience with BMC and out-of-band management validation and testing.
• Working knowledge of network administration fundamentals and connectivity troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with solid-state storage technologies and SSD validation methodologies.
• Experience using Linux debugging tools, log analysis techniques, and issue tracking systems.
• Strong analytical thinking, troubleshooting ability, and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Redfish API, OpenBMC, and OCP networking hardware.
• Hands-on experience using oscilloscopes and performing basic soldering or rework.
• Experience debugging SSD failures through telemetry logging and trace analysis.
• Ability to capture, decode, and interpret SSD traces for failure diagnosis.
• Proficiency in Python, Bash, or PowerShell scripting.
• Familiarity with image deployment, automated validation frameworks, and test infrastructure tools.
• Experience in datacenter, enterprise server, or storage environments.
• Knowledge of OCP datacenter storage specifications and validation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, and manage server hardware in a datacenter validation lab.
• Develop, architect, and execute SSD validation plans aligned with customer requirements and industry standards using the OSS Autoval-SSD OCP testing framework.
• Validate SSD compatibility, performance, reliability, and integration within server systems.
• Perform electrical characterization and signal analysis between server platforms and SSDs using oscilloscopes and related lab instrumentation.
• Configure and maintain network environments for validation and debugging workflows.
• Identify, isolate, reproduce, and document SSD and server platform failures.
• Analyze system behavior, telemetry logs, and SSD traces to support debugging and failure analysis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to investigate and resolve firmware, hardware, and integration issues.
• Communicate validation progress, technical findings, and test status to internal stakeholders.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives to improve product quality and reliability.
• Improve validation processes, test coverage, automation, and lab infrastructure.

Benefits

• Career growth and personal development training opportunities.
• Open-minded management.
• Flexible work-life balance, generous PTO allotment, holiday shutdown, and flexible work options.
• Excellent medical and non-medical benefits.
• 401(k) matching.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior