principal engineer, product development engineering

Company Description

Sandisk understands how people and businesses consume data and we relentlessly innovate to deliver solutions that enable today’s needs and tomorrow’s next big ideas. With a rich history of groundbreaking innovations in Flash and advanced memory technologies, our solutions have become the beating heart of the digital world we’re living in and that we have the power to shape.

Sandisk meets people and businesses at the intersection of their aspirations and the moment, enabling them to keep moving and pushing possibility forward. We do this through the balance of our powerhouse manufacturing capabilities and our industry-leading portfolio of products that are recognized globally for innovation, performance and quality.

Sandisk has two facilities recognized by the World Economic Forum as part of the Global Lighthouse Network for advanced 4IR innovations. These facilities were also recognized as Sustainability Lighthouses for breakthroughs in efficient operations. With our global reach, we ensure the global supply chain has access to the Flash memory it needs to keep our world moving forward.

Job Description

We're looking for an experienced and visionary Principal Engineer, Product Development Engineering to join our team in Milpitas, United States. In this pivotal role, you will drive the development and optimization of innovative products from conception through qualification, ensuring exceptional quality and reliability. You will lead cross-functional teams, mentor engineering talent, and champion technical excellence while collaborating closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver products that exceed customer expectations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and drive product development initiatives from pre-silicon design through first silicon and full qualification, ensuring alignment with technology and product roadmaps
• Develop and implement comprehensive test strategies, test flows, and screening methodologies that optimize product quality and reliability metrics
• Conduct in-depth electrical and functional failure analysis during new product development and qualification phases, identifying root causes and defining corrective action plans
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including design engineers, device engineers, manufacturing partners, and quality teams to resolve complex technical challenges
• Define and refine product specifications, test algorithms, and stress screening methods based on rigorous data analysis and industry best practices
• Monitor product quality metrics and reliability performance across product lines, driving continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization
• Partner with system and firmware teams to develop robust error handling algorithms and enhance overall product resilience
• Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, and strategic insights to senior leadership and cross-functional partners with clarity and precision
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation to ensure efficient execution and on-time product launches

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in product development engineering, with demonstrated expertise in troubleshooting and failure analysis
• Deep understanding of electrical failure analysis methodologies and proven ability to diagnose root causes and implement corrective actions
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, including statistical analysis and data-driven decision-making
• Demonstrated experience with product lifecycle management from design through qualification and production
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Proven leadership capability with experience mentoring and developing engineering teams
• Self-motivated and passionate about solving complex technical problems with resilience and determination

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
• Experience with semiconductor or memory product development
• Familiarity with system architecture, firmware principles, and device physics
• Knowledge of design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) principles
• Experience with quality metrics such as DPPM (Defective Parts Per Million) evaluation and improvement
• Project management certification or demonstrated project leadership experience
• Experience with advanced testing and characterization equipment

**CORE COMPETENCIES: