Principal Hardware Engineer

Design, develop, and maintain automated HDD CDL test suites covering functionality, performance, reliability, power, security, interoperability, and fleet-specific validation scenarios Analyze fleet learnings, field incidents, and validation escapes to identify coverage gaps and drive continuous enhancement of HDD qualification methodologies and test content. Lead technical discussions with cross-functional teams including platform engineering, storage architecture, reliability engineering, and datacenter operations to align qualification requirements with Azure deployment needs. Perform deep technical analysis of HDD failures using protocol traces, logs, telemetry, and diagnostic data to identify root causes and drive issue resolution with suppliers Drive qualification readiness for next-generation HDD technologies and ensure new devices meet Azure requirements for reliability, performance, compatibility, security, and serviceability Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership in storage validation, test development, qualification practices, and HDD technology advancements. Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience 8+ years of experience working with enterprise storage technologies, including HDDs, SSDs, SAS, SATA, or NVMe devices, with demonstrated expertise in storage architecture, performance, reliability, and failure analysis. 5+ years of experience leading development of validation strategies, qualification programs, test methodologies, or automated test frameworks for hardware products. Proven experience leading cross-functional technical initiatives and influencing product quality, validation requirements, or engineering roadmaps across suppliers, partners, and internal engineering organizations. Master's Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field. Deep expertise in HDD technologies, including HAMR, SMR, PMR, SAS/SATA protocols, storage reliability, firmware behavior, and large-capacity enterprise storage systems. Experience defining device qualification strategies, certification programs, or validation standards for hyperscale cloud, datacenter, or enterprise storage deployments. Experience collaborating directly with storage device suppliers to influence product design, validation methodologies, debugging efforts, and quality improvement initiatives. Proficiency in test automation, software development, and data analysis using Python, C#, PowerShell, or similar languages. Experience with industry standards and specifications, including OCP, NVMe, SPC, SCSI, ATA, TCG, and related storage technologies. Proven track record of driving complex technical decisions, influencing engineering direction across organizations, and delivering large-scale quality or reliability improvements. Experience leveraging AI, automation, or advanced analytics to improve engineering productivity, qualification efficiency, or failure analysis workflows.