Principle Application Engineer (Embedded Systems, SSD/HDD)

TL;DR

Principal Application Engineer (SoC Embedded Systems): Work on validation, characterization, and customer deployment support for hirify.global’s HDD SoC products with an accent on silicon bring-up, firmware interaction, and system-level analysis. Focus on debugging SoC, firmware, and hardware issues, and providing technical support to global customers.

Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)

Salary: $154,680–$231,700 per annum

Company

hirify.global is a semiconductor company providing essential solutions for data infrastructure across enterprise, cloud, and AI architectures.

What you will do

• Validate HDD SoC functionality, performance, and electrical behavior, including power analysis and PVT characterization.
• Develop test plans and automation frameworks, producing clear, data‑driven validation reports.
• Debug SoC, firmware, and hardware issues using JTAG, ICE, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers.
• Collaborate with internal design, FW, and validation teams, and external customer engineering teams to resolve issues.
• Provide technical support to FAEs, test engineering, documentation teams, and external customers.

Requirements

• 5+ years in embedded hardware or product development, including bring‑up, validation, or debug of complex SoC‑based systems.
• 4+ years developing test/validation firmware for multicore ARM-based systems.
• Strong skills in C/C++, Python, and MATLAB.
• Familiarity with PCIe, NVMe, SAS, and/or SATA protocols.
• Hands-on experience with low‑level debug tools (JTAG, ICE) and ability to trace interactions between silicon, firmware, and board‑level hardware.
• Ability to read schematics and debug analog/digital circuits.
• Applicants must be eligible to access U.S. export-controlled information, potentially requiring U.S. export license review.

Nice to have

• Background in HDD/SSD architecture or storage controller internals.
• Understanding of HDD operation and signal paths.
• Working knowledge of comms theory, DSP fundamentals, or channel‑related analysis.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits supporting financial well-being, family support, and mental/physical health.
• Employee stock purchase plan with a 2-year look back.
• Family support programs and robust mental health resources.
• Recognition and service awards to celebrate contributions and milestones.
• Commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunity.

Hiring process

• Candidates are not permitted to use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) during interviews.
• Interviews evaluate individual experience, thought process, and real-time communication skills.
• Unauthorized use of AI tools will result in disqualification from the hiring process.