Are you data-driven?  We at NetApp believe in the transformative power of data – to expand customer touchpoints, to foster greater innovation, and to optimize operations.  We are designed for simplicity, optimized to protect, created to embrace future opportunity, and open to enrich choice.  We are the data authority for hybrid cloud, and we are helping our customers realize the full potential of their data.

We’ve built a Data Fabric for a data-driven world – to simplify and integrate data management across the resources that are best for the business.  With the Data Fabric, our customers can harness the power of cloud data services, build cloud infrastructures, and modernize storage through data management.

By modernizing storage through data management, customers can upgrade infrastructure to bring modern data services to existing applications. Only NetApp can help organizations free the resources necessary to fund transformation by deploying the industry’s leading flash storage solution, which is highly efficient and scalable in both data center and cloud environments.

Job Summary

From the newest ideas in cluster computing to the latest web framework, NetApp software products embrace innovation to deliver compelling business solutions to our customers. 

Performance objectives of SolidFire SSD Qualification Engineer:
* Work with a cross functional team of NetApp engineers & SSD suppliers to develop and launch the next generation platform using SATA and NVMe storage devices
* Develop, release and maintain the NetApp NVMe and SATA device functional specification
* Develop, release and maintain test plan specification 
* Define new and improved SATA and NVMe device test cases for automation
* Drive root cause and fixs from SSD suppliers for device firmware issues discovered during device qualification and platform development
* Be the single point of technical contact and subject matter expert for a specific storage platform
* Collaborate with the storage software and NetApp OS teams to develop and implement innovative features into device firmware
* Develop a qualification plan for integrating additional device sources on the new platform

As a SSD Protocol Qualification Engineer in the Primary Storage Qualification Engineering Team, you will be responsible for defining feature requirements and the qualification testing of SATA and NVMe SSDs for the next generation of NetApp Flash Arrays. This position requires strong hands-on protocol debugging and analytical know-how to quickly diagnose a drive integration issue. Excellent and proactive communication skills, coupled with the flexibility to work effectively across multiple geographies and time-zones with internal cross-functional test teams, manufacturing partners and outside vendors is required. The successful candidate is expected to be highly self-motivated, and to work autonomously in a fast-paced and very technical environment. Additionally, as part of the Research and Development function, the overall focus of the group is on competitive market and customer requirements, technology advances, product quality, product cost and time-to-market. Technical projects that the engineer will participate in include: exploration of products and/or process problems, definition and selection of new concepts and approaches, origination or modification of material, component and process specifications and requirements. 

This position requires an individual to be creative, intellectually curious, team-oriented, technology savvy, and driven to produce results. They demonstrate the ability to lead a cross functional engineering team to aggressively drive a project to completion and produce excellent results for the business. 

Job Requirements

Essential Functions: 
- The responsibilities of the position include: technical leadership, guidance and coordination of ODMs, JDMs OEMs and CMs.

- The major part of your responsibility will be to plan, lead and execute SSD qualification test cycles (Plan, define & track tests/dates/HW supply logistics/..) 
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical collaboration efforts between NetApp platform teams and the device engineering teams for development of new flash array systems
- You will participate in any and/or all phases of the product development cycle from supplier selection through implementation, documentation, validation and support including: 
- Maintain SSD qualification requirements documents, and work with suppliers to resolve any documentation issues. You will work on the specification, development, validation, and support for products through the entire product life cycle. 
- Help define new SSD specific qualification tests that target new features, requirements, or issues seen in the field. Write test cases and acceptance criteria. Review partner or ODM test results. 
- Good working knowledge of Flash technologies (QLC/TLC/MLC/SLC), controllers and FW, and failure modes 
- Strong Linux shell scripting skills are highly desirable for automating tests, and improving workflow
- Must have strong knowledge/background in storage interface protocols (NVMe & SATA, SAS a plus) and be proficient in the use of Interface bus analyzers to setup, capture and provide analysis of trace content, use standard analysis tools to trouble shoot issues 
- Expert trace analysis knowledge is highly desirable

- Knowledge of PCIe protocol is highly desirable
- Knowledge of Sanblaze, Oakgate & third party tools is highly desirable 
- Understanding HW design dependencies due to FW/SW interactions. 
- Analysis and review of system level power, cooling and timing. 
- Must have a good background in Storage Appliances (storage OS, Raid, Storage HW) 
- To be successful an external candidate is expected to quickly develop strong SolidFire system software use and implementation know-how 
- Linux/Windows driver/storage stack experience is highly desirable. 
- Python/PERL language and data analysis skills a plus 
- Excellent verbal and written language/communication skills are a must 
- Provide guidance and mentoring to more junior engineers. 
- As part of a team, you will lead and participate in technical discussions within the immediate group and across functions, where evaluating and executing design and development plans for products are reviewed. 
- This individual will be responsible for evaluating, defining and prioritizing projects. 
- A willingness to work on additional tasks and responsibilities that will positively contribute toward team, department, and company goals. 

Education

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.

So get ready to tap into the data visionary within, and join us as we accelerate digital transformation and empower our customers to change the world with data!

If you ask a NetApp employee why they work here, the answer is inevitably the same: the people. At NetApp, our culture is at the heart of what we do. We place importance in trust, integrity, teamwork, and caring above all else. NetApp is a place where people are empowered to make a difference. Empowered to innovate. Empowered to collaborate. Empowered to help ourselves and others be data-driven and change the world. We take care of each other, our customers, our partners, and our communities simply because it’s the right thing to do.

We work hard but also recognize the importance of work-life balance for our employees because what’s important to them is important to us!  Recently we implemented Family First, which encourages employees to take paid time off to bond with a new child (through birth or adoption) or to care for a family member with a serious health condition.  Our volunteer time off program is best in class, offering employees 40 hours of paid time off per year to donate their time with their favorite organizations.  We provide comprehensive medical, dental, wellness and vision plans for you and your family.  We offer educational assistance, legal services, and access to discounts and fitness centers. We also offer financial savings programs to help you plan for your future.  

Join us and see what empowerment can do.