Senior SSD Firmware Architect

Job Description

Solidigm is currently seeking Firmware and Embedded Software Design professionals to join a growing team working on next generation Solid State Disk (SSD) solutions within our Non-volatile Memory Solutions Group.

In this position you will join a fast-paced team developing new, cutting-edge firmware for Solidigm Solid State Drives (SSD). You will utilize and grow your experience in embedded architecture, external interfaces, and product constraints, along with the ability to develop architectures/features that meet these constraints while providing new value for the platform. You will use and gain experience in storage interface standards such as SATA, SAS, PCIe, and NVMe. The role also includes algorithm modeling, benchmarking, and implementation in firmware. The team utilizes Agile development methodologies, therefore, excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with team members, both locally and across the organization is required.

As a Firmware Architect, regular responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Cross-domain system and product level technical leadership
• Drive architectural requirements for new customer feature requests
• High level architecture scoping initiatives and feature assessments
• Lead, develop, review, document product source code in C/C++
• Analyze, architect, and develop firmware per internal and external (customer) specifications
• Perform unit and system level testing including failure analysis and debug of product issues as part of development and validation phases
• Develop low-level firmware, system architectures, operating systems, device architectures, in partnership with hardware and ASIC design teams
• Cross multiple firmware disciplines to develop and grow across the entire SSD architecture
• Work with project stakeholders turning product requirements into development and validation plans
• Participate in and role model an Agile/Kanban development culture which emphasizes product quality, team accountability, and continuous improvement
• Coordinate priorities and activities with other engineering stakeholders to accomplish committed milestones

A successful candidate will demonstrate:

• The ability to listen, understand and respond professionally to partner questions and issues while building trust
• Excellent written and presentation skills
• A history of self-starting and effective multitasking, with strong influencing and leadership skills

Qualifications

Candidates must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates. Requirements listed below would be obtained through a combination of schoolwork/classes/research and/or relevant previous job and/or internship experiences.

Minimum Requirements:

The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or a related field

10+ years of experience in the following areas:

• Software or firmware development experience in an embedded systems environment with programming in C/C++, including 8+ years in SSD firmware architecture or NAND flash storage systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership driving firmware architecture across cross-functional teams including ASIC, hardware, firmware, validation, product engineering, and manufacturing..
• Expertise in SSD firmware technologies including FTL, QoS, wear leveling, garbage collection, bad block management, ECC/error recovery, power-loss protection, and NAND flash management.
• Demonstrated technical leadership across cross-functional teams including development, validation and manufacturing.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience leading architecture decisions involving performance, reliability, power, cost, and scalability tradeoffs.
• Expertise in enterprise storage interfaces and protocols (e.g., PCIe, NVMe, NVMe-MI).
• Experience with SSD security technologies (e.g., TCG Opal, IEEE 1667, ESSC, AES, Secure Boot, firmware authentication).
• Experience working with controller ASIC and hardware architecture teams to influence next-generation product capabilities.
• Experience driving firmware technology roadmaps and evaluating emerging storage technologies (e.g., QLC/PLC NAND, Zoned Namespaces, Computational Storage, CXL, NVMe over Fabrics).
• Experience establishing firmware architecture, coding standards, development processes, and technical direction across multiple engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle, CI/CD, automated validation, and release management for embedded firmware.
• Experience engaging directly with strategic customers to translate product requirements into architectural solutions.
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and serving as a technical authority across the organization.

Additional Information

This position is also eligible to participate in Solidigm's restricted stock unit (RSU), restricted cash unit (RCU), and cash bonus programs. In addition, Solidigm offers a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, supplemental life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a company match on eligible 401(k) plan contributions.

The compensation range for this role is $170,640 - $273,100. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

This is a Hybrid role which may report out of either: Rancho Cordova, CA; or Longmont, CO.