Server Hardware Engineer IV

Job description

Description TrueNAS is redefining enterprise storage by delivering proven data resilience, performance, and flexibility without the complexity or constraints of legacy solutions. As the most deployed storage platform in the world, TrueNAS already powers critical data storage infrastructure for businesses, research institutions, and government agencies across 140+ countries and millions of users. Our mission is simple: to become the most trusted name in data storage. Originally founded in Silicon Valley in 2002 under the name iXsystems, TrueNAS is a profitable, independent company with a culture rooted in trust, curiosity, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. Whether you work remotely or on-site, you’ll be part of a team that values collaboration and meaningful impact - where people come before profit, and bold ideas drive the future of data infrastructure. If you’re ready to help shape the future of enterprise storage, we’d love to connect. Position Overview: As a Server Hardware Engineer IV, you serve as a subject matter expert in hardware evaluation, qualification, and optimization for TrueNAS Enterprise storage appliances. With typically 5-7+ years of hands-on experience in storage systems (including Linux / ZFS-based platforms), you lead and critically evaluate multiple concurrent projects, from new product introductions to sustaining and qualifying cutting-edge hardware components (e.g., high-capacity QLC drives, enclosures, firmware updates). You set the technical direction to enhance performance, reliability, and capabilities across diverse hardware configurations. Your work involves advanced hardware analysis, performance optimization for emerging technologies, close vendor collaboration to resolve critical issues, and seamless integration into enterprise-grade storage solutions. You maintain strong vendor relationships, stay ahead of industry trends in storage hardware, and provide deep technical mentorship to team members and cross-functional groups, delivering high-impact, enterprise solutions without formal people management responsibilities. This is an in-office position in Campbell, CA Base Pay Range The base pay range of this position is $130,000 to $180,000 USD annually. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible to participate in the Company’s bonus program with a target bonus opportunity of 10% of base salary annually, subject to the achievement of individual and Company performance objectives and the terms of the applicable Company bonus plan. Please note that the provided range reflects the pay spectrum for positions within the same job category as the one to which this position belongs. The final offer will consider various factors, such as location, education, and prior experience, to ensure a comprehensive and fair compensation assessment. TrueNAS offers a comprehensive package of benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, paid time-off, 401(k), health and flexible spending accounts, stock purchase plan and more. Expected Posting Timelines This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, a maximum of 90 days. The Day-to-Day The essential functions and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed. Lead hardware qualification and testing for TrueNAS Enterprise appliances, including new platform launches, drive qualifications (e.g., high-capacity QLC), enclosure firmware updates, and related investigations. Drive vendor partnerships to expedite fixes for essential bugs, provide detailed feedback on hardware issues, and ensure timely resolution of critical problems. Provide continual expert-level support for existing products, including root-cause analysis and resolution of complex customer deployments, failure analysis, and creation of clear fix plans. Act as a go-to technical resource across departments (Support, Operations, Product, Docs, etc.) for TrueNAS internals, hardware/firmware changes, and complex troubleshooting. Share deep knowledge through mentorship, technical enablement, and clear documentation (e.g., JIRA tickets, Confluence articles, instructions), accelerating company wide problem-solving. Maintain exceptional organization and ownership to keep critical projects on track. Contribute to cross-team programs (e.g., Change Control, NPI) by delivering prepared, knowledgeable input and proactive communication on hardware/firmware impacts. Education and Experience We have identified the following programs, experience, and knowledge that have helped others find success in this role at TrueNAS. We understand, though, that knowledge comes from many forms of learning and experiences. Above all, we consider a person’s potential impact in the role and value their unique path to this point in their career. An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline is expected, with comparable work experience as an alternative. Deep technical expertise in TrueNAS internals, storage hardware qualification, ZFS / Linux-based systems, drive/enclosure technologies, Intel / AMD server processors, PCIe, networking, and firmware troubleshooting. Appliance Design - Understanding of combined hardware/software solutions as a unified appliance. Commonly seen in NAS/SAN/CDN space. Vendor management and collaboration - building relationships, providing actionable feedback, and driving expedited resolutions for hardware/firmware issues. Problem-solving - handling complex technical challenges while maintaining composure, ownership, and clear fix plans. Knowledge sharing and mentorship - freely sharing expertise, enabling team members/cross-functional groups, writing clear/concise instructions/documentation, and building long-term team capability. Technical leadership and ownership - leading projects autonomously, maintaining organization amid diverse workloads, and empowering others. Communication - providing thorough, helpful feedback; proactive updates on hardware changes; and clear, concise written instructions. Strategic thinking and innovation - balancing new platform development with sustaining existing products, identifying opportunities to improve quality and efficiency. Analytical thinking - conducting advanced analysis, root-cause investigations, and performance optimizations. Personal effectiveness and delivery - consistently delivering high-impact results and demonstrating exceptional reliability. Collaboration - working cross-functionally, contributing to team syncs/programs, and supporting organizational goals through technical enablement. Leading people (informally) - mentoring, knowledge transfer, and influencing positively without direct reports. Equal Employment Opportunity: iXsystems DBA TrueNAS, Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in all company facilities without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.