Principal Systems Engineer, Storage Accelerator

Responsibilities

Max Linear is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer, Storage Accelerator to join our team. You will be responsible for architecting and developing cutting‑edge hardware platforms optimized for high‑performance storage accelerator solutions. This role demands deep expertise in PCIe Gen5/Gen6 protocols, hands‑on debugging, and board‑level design of PCIe, OCP, and EDSFF form factors. You will drive architecture, design, validation, compliance with industry standards, and support of at‑scale manufacturing.

• Serve as the subject matter expert on PCIe Gen5 and Gen6 protocols and physical layer implementation.
• Conduct hands‑on debugging and root‑cause analysis for development and field issues.
• Provide guidance on emerging interface technologies such as CXL, UALink, and other high‑speed interconnects.
• Lead the design and development of PCIe HHHL, OCP 3.0 NIC, and EDSFF form factor boards for high‑volume production.
• Architect and implement high‑speed interface designs, including PCIe Gen5 and OCP‑compliant protocols.
• Perform comprehensive Power Integrity (PI) and Signal Integrity (SI) analysis to ensure robust board‑level performance.
• Drive Design Validation Testing (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT) processes.
• Develop and execute thermal test plans in collaboration with an internal team and third‑party thermal labs.
• Ensure hardware designs meet industry standards and certifications including FIPS, RoHS, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Own and manage Functional Circuit Test (FCT) and In‑Circuit Test (ICT) processes.
• Lead RMA analysis and work closely with customers and manufacturing teams to resolve board‑level issues.

• Deep expertise in PCIe Gen5 and Gen6 protocols and OCP standards.
• Proven track record of high‑speed board design, SI/PI analysis, and board‑level debugging.
• Experience with compliance testing and certification processes.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies like CXL and UALink is a strong plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• BS in Electrical Engineering or related + 9 years of experience, or MS + 7 years of experience, or Ph.D. + 4 years of experience.

Max Linear has a Total Compensation philosophy which includes base salary and annual discretionary bonus eligibility and many positions also include stock‑based compensation.
Max Linear’s good faith estimate starting base salary range is: $155,000 to $193,000 Annually
. We offer competitive benefits designed to support employee health, welfare, and retirement including health care benefits, 401(k) savings plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and paid time off.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on race, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.