Failure Analysis Engineer II

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global market leader renowned for powering many of the world's most demanding AI data centers, in industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to financial services, autonomous cars, Government, academia, research and manufacturing.

"DDN's A3I solutions are transforming the landscape of AI infrastructure." – IDC 

“The real differentiator is DDN. I never hesitate to recommend DDN. DDN is the de facto name for AI Storage in high performance environments” - Marc Hamilton, VP, Solutions Architecture & Engineering | NVIDIA 

DDN is the global leader in AI and multi-cloud data management at scale. Our cutting-edge data intelligence platform is designed to accelerate AI workloads, enabling organizations to extract maximum value from their data. With a proven track record of performance, reliability, and scalability, DDN empowers businesses to tackle the most challenging AI and data-intensive workloads with confidence. 

Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and a team of passionate professionals who bring their expertise and dedication to every project. This is a chance to make a significant impact at a company that is shaping the future of AI and data management. 

Our commitment to innovation, customer success, and market leadership makes this an exciting and rewarding role for a driven professional looking to make a lasting impact in the world of AI and data storage. 

DataDirect Networks (DDN) is seeking a proactive and results-driven Failure Analysis Engineer II to join our team at our Chatsworth site. This role involves investigating, diagnosing, and resolving technical issues in high-performance computing (HPC) storage devices and subsystems. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with leadership potential, a strong sense of ownership, and a passion for continuous improvement. You will play a key role in driving technical solutions, advancing product reliability, and supporting operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Failure Analysis & Testing: Lead investigations of technical failures involving computer data storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs, controllers, and power supplies.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Develop and publish monthly Failure Analysis (FA) metrics to identify product and process improvement opportunities, with emphasis on Production Test, Engineering, Quality, and RMA Service & Repair departments.
• Documentation & Reporting: Generate comprehensive failure analysis reports with actionable insights, root causes, and recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
• Process Improvement: Identify process gaps and proactively drive continuous improvement initiatives within the failure analysis function.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Act as a technical lead, mentor junior engineers, and foster collaboration across Hardware, Firmware, Quality, and Manufacturing teams.
• Cross-functional Engagement: Provide technical expertise to internal teams, suppliers, and third-party vendors while representing the Failure Analysis team in cross-functional meetings.
• Data Management & Presentation: Present key findings, trends, and project updates to senior management and stakeholders on a monthly basis.
• Multitasking & Prioritization: Effectively manage multiple ongoing projects while adjusting priorities based on evolving business needs.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics & Computer Engineering, or a related technical field preferred. Relevant experience may substitute for formal education.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years in failure analysis, electronics testing, or a related role with demonstrated leadership potential.
• Technical Skills:
• Expertise in diagnosing system-level failures in data storage environments (SATA, SAS, NVMe, PCIe).
• Experience with diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers.
• Proficiency with Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Leadership & Innovation:
• Proven ability to take initiative and lead technical investigations independently.
• Experience mentoring or leading team members is a plus.
• Strong decision-making skills with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities:
• Exceptional analytical skills with a data-driven mindset.
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and drive corrective action plans effectively.
• Communication & Collaboration:
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with diverse teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Multitasking & Prioritization:
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and meeting deadlines.

When it's time to unwind and recharge, check out our game room. Whether you're in the mood for a friendly match of ping pong or pool, or prefer to break a sweat on the treadmill, our space offer the perfect balance of relaxation and a recharge. As part of our commitment to employee well-being, we also host bi-weekly payday lunches. And let's not forget, our manufacturing floor is fully air-conditioned, ensuring comfort and productivity even during the busiest of days. At DDN, we believe that a supportive and engaging work environment is the cornerstone of success. Join us and experience the difference firsthand.

Location: Chatsworth, CA
Compensation: $95,000 - $102,000 year 

DDN has a very strong orientation towards these 4 characteristics and any successful employee will demonstrate these capabilities: 

Self-Starter - Takes independent action to identify and solve problems. Seeks out relevant information needed to make decisions. Gets involved with new initiatives. 

Success/Achievement Orientation - Delivers quality results consistently. Targets, achieves (or exceeds) measurable results. Sets challenging goals, focuses on critical priorities, and is accountable. 

Problem Solving - Recognizes problems and responds with a systematic assessment that identifies and addresses cause of issue. Practical, realistic, and resourceful. 

Innovative - Builds and improves key business processes that enhance the effectiveness of DDN. Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and solves problems creatively.

DataDirect Networks (DDN) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.