Hardware Validation Engineer

About the role

You will lead the validation and bring-up of next-generation server platforms that power hyperscale data center infrastructure. In this role, you serve as the critical bridge between hardware design and real-world customer deployments, ensuring platform stability and reliability. You will leverage a methodical approach to solve complex system-level problems at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and operating systems. This position demands curiosity, ownership, and a passion for building foundational technology that scales. You will partner closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust hardware validation and influence platform readiness globally. If you thrive on deep technical diagnostics and shaping infrastructure that powers modern computing, this role provides a direct path to leave your mark. This is an opportunity to grow alongside a team recognized for innovation and collaboration in a fast-moving storage and compute environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead end-to-end platform bring-up and system validation for diverse server platforms and hardware configurations, ensuring robust system reliability before customer deployment.

Perform deep-dive root-cause analysis and technical diagnostics across hardware, firmware, and Linux system layers to isolate complex failures and deliver actionable engineering recommendations.

Design, develop, and maintain custom shell scripts and diagnostic tools to automate validation workflows, improve test coverage, and accelerate issue resolution.

Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, software, and test development teams, as well as external customer and partner teams, to resolve technical roadblocks and elevate platform performance.

Execute comprehensive system-level testing and validation activities, including power-on, boot verification, performance benchmarking, and stress testing under varied conditions.

Document detailed validation procedures, test results, and failure analysis findings to create clear, repeatable processes for internal and customer consumption.

Partner with system architecture teams to define validation criteria, test plans, and hardware acceptance criteria that align with product roadmaps and deployment requirements.

Drive continuous improvement of validation tools and methodologies, incorporating feedback from support, field engineering, and customers to enhance platform quality.

Lead troubleshooting efforts during critical system outages or deployment issues, coordinating with global teams to implement timely resolutions.

Contribute to the development of automated frameworks that integrate validation steps into scalable deployment and monitoring pipelines.

Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities, risks, and technical dependencies.

Act as a subject matter expert for hardware validation processes, mentoring peers and junior engineers on best practices and effective debugging techniques.

Requirements

Demonstrate practical experience in server validation, system bring-up, lab engineering, or hardware testing environments within enterprise, cloud, or hyperscale settings.

Show hands-on proficiency with Linux environments, including installation, system configuration, command-line usage, and failure diagnosis using standard tools and logs.

Apply a structured, analytical approach to debugging unfamiliar system behaviors across hardware, operating system, and firmware interfaces.

Write and execute shell scripts, along with Python or other high-level scripting languages, to automate diagnostics, testing workflows, and data collection tasks.

Communicate complex diagnostic findings clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, to diverse technical and non-technical audiences across global teams.

Work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities can shift quickly and multiple system layers must be managed simultaneously.

Demonstrate strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple validation activities, track progress, and meet defined deadlines.

Collaborate successfully within cross-functional, globally distributed teams, demonstrating cultural awareness, empathy, and professionalism.

Nice to have

Experience with automated test frameworks, continuous integration pipelines, or infrastructure validation tools that support large-scale deployments.

Familiarity with storage systems, persistent memory technologies, or data center hardware platforms and their associated validation methodologies.

Practical notes

This role is based in Santa Clara, California, and requires onsite presence. Travel may be required for customer engagements, vendor meetings, or internal training as needed. Employment is contingent on authorization to work in the United States.