Principal Hardware Validation Engineer (Irvine CA)

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a Principal Hardware Validation Engineer, your primary job focus is to develop, maintain, and execute Electrical Validation Tests and FA on early development SSD products to ensure operational performance meets specifications.
• You will also work closely with internal and external teams to help guide PCBA design changes for layout improvement and design for testability (DFT). 
• The ideal candidate would be someone who is passionate about hardware development with solid EE fundamentals, significant lab experience, and prior experience in python test automation.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• BS with 7+ yrs experience or MS with 6+ yrs experience.
• Experience with high speed, high frequency oscilloscope measurements.
• Strong understanding of technical specifications - voltage supply requirements in particular.
• Experience with power electronics and sensor is a plus.
• Experience with frequency domain and FFT measurements is a plus.
• Experience with CAD for PCB layouts is a plus.
• Experience with rework / soldering is a plus.
• Experience with scripting languages and test automation.  Python preferred.
• Proficient with MS Excel. Advanced user for post processing of data preferred.
• Self-driven and detail-oriented individual with strong communication skills.

Expectations from Hardware Validation Lead Engineer

• Board-level Hardware testing & debugging
• Understanding of high-speed oscilloscopes and best-practice probing concerns/techniques, power supplies, electronic loads, etc.
• Knowledge of Power Delivery Network (PDN) testing and analysis, Voltage regulator Monitoring circuit and functional characterization.
• Knowledge of Power backup circuit and testing.
• Knowledge of System communication bus (I2C, SPI, SMBus, High speed) protocols and performing testing/characterization as part of EVT plans
• Perform system-level testing across Voltage /temperature corners.
• HW Validation Plan creation and reports generation
• Develop validation test cases with automation.
• Supports Failure Analysis
• Knowledgeable of high-speed digital design like PCIe, DDR4/5 high-speed memory elements, and a good understanding of serial communications protocols.
• Understanding on schematics /architectures /PCB design and datasheets is a must.
• They must be able to solve problems daily, schedule time appropriately, and overcome technical challenges. The ability to interface comfortably with cross-functional teams is a must.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and