Senior SSD Debug Engineer - 2201

As a Senior SSD Debug Engineer at KIOXIA America, Inc., your primary responsibilities include triaging SSD-related issues reported by customers, collaborating with product development teams to find timely solutions, representing issues in debug forums, managing problem tracking in databases, conducting lab work for issue replication, and preparing detailed failure analysis reports. Your role is pivotal in ensuring customer satisfaction and advancing our innovative SSD products.

To qualify for the Senior SSD Debug Engineer role at KIOXIA America, Inc., candidates must possess a BS or MS degree in computer engineering or a related field, alongside relevant experience—at least 10 years with a BS or 8 years with an MS. Familiarity with NVMe and PCIe debugging, SSD firmware architecture, and data center storage knowledge is highly desired, as well as proficiency in various debug tools and protocols.

KIOXIA America, Inc. is committed to nurturing its employees' careers. As a Senior SSD Debug Engineer, you will have access to various professional development opportunities, including personal growth training and support for further education. The company promotes an open-minded management approach, encouraging employees to share their ideas and take initiative in their career trajectories.

At KIOXIA America, Inc., work-life balance is a priority. As a Senior SSD Debug Engineer, you will enjoy flexible work options, generous PTO allotments, and a holiday shutdown. The company understands the importance of personal time and ensures that employees can manage their work responsibilities while still enjoying life outside of the office.

KIOXIA America, Inc. provides an attractive benefits package for its Senior SSD Debug Engineers. This includes excellent medical and non-medical benefits, 401(k) matching, pet insurance, and a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company values its employees and their well-being, ensuring a supportive environment for all.

When approaching complex SSD debugging, it's essential to start with a systematic analysis of the reported issue. Begin by gathering relevant data from the customer and lab tests, reviewing logs, and utilizing debug tools. Collaboration with development teams can provide insights into the architecture and known issues. By following a structured root cause analysis approach, you can deliver effective solutions.

In discussing my experience with NVMe and PCIe protocols, I would highlight my direct work with these technologies in previous positions, detailing specific challenges faced and how I resolved them. It's important to convey a solid understanding of these protocols and their implications for SSD performance and debugging.

In my career, I have utilized a variety of debugging tools including PCIe and NVMe protocol analyzers, along with open-source tools like NVMe-CLI and FIO. My familiarity with these tools has allowed me to efficiently pinpoint issues and provide accurate reports to stakeholders.

I maintain effective communication with stakeholders and prioritize tasks according to urgency and impact when faced with high-pressure situations. I use organized tracking systems to monitor progress and ensure that all team members are aligned on goals. This approach allows me to manage stress and efficiently drive resolutions.

In a previous role, I represented ongoing SSD issues in a debug forum by preparing comprehensive reports that highlighted the nature of the problems, potential solutions, and the status of investigations. I emphasized clear communication of technical details to ensure stakeholders understood the challenges and the steps being taken to address them.

I start by meticulously collecting as much detail as possible about the reported issue, including environment specifics and user logs. I then set up a similar laboratory environment to meticulously replicate the conditions under which the problem occurred, which enables me to identify root causes effectively.

To stay updated, I regularly read industry publications, participate in relevant webinars, and engage with professional networks. Attending conferences and workshops also allows me to gain insights into cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices related to SSDs.

I have considerable experience with SSD firmware, including debugging and validations. My work often entails analyzing firmware behaviors to identify performance issues and developing test cases to ensure compatibility and reliability across products.

Collaboration is crucial as it fosters knowledge sharing and accelerates problem resolution. As a Senior SSD Debug Engineer, working closely with product developers, QA teams, and support engineers allows for a multidisciplinary approach, leading to more innovative and effective solutions to technical challenges.

One of the most challenging aspects is managing the stress associated with urgent customer reports alongside the complexity of the issues. Effectively prioritizing tasks while ensuring thoroughness in the debugging process allows for a balance between urgency and quality solutions.