---
title: 'Research Scientist - Loop Engineering and AI Infrastructure at SK hynix memory solutions America Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-loop-engineering-and-ai-infrastructure-sk-hynix-memory-n79f9dwxab37'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-15'
---

# Research Scientist - Loop Engineering and AI Infrastructure at SK hynix memory solutions America Inc.

- **Company:** SK hynix memory solutions America Inc.
- **Location:** San Jose, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-15
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/skhynixmemorysolutionsamericainc/jobs/4432770009

## Job description

About the Company:

At SK hynix memory solutions, we're at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, developing advanced memory solutions that power everything from smartphones to data centers. As a global leader in NAND flash technology and memory solutions, we drive the evolution of advancing mobile technology, empowering cloud computing, and pioneering future technologies. Our cutting-edge memory technologies are essential in today's most advanced electronic devices and IT infrastructure, enabling enhanced performance and user experiences across the digital landscape.

We're looking for innovative minds to join our mission of shaping the future of technology. At SK hynix memory solutions, you will be part of a team that's pioneering breakthrough memory solutions while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. We're not just adapting to technological change – we're driving it, with significant investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and eco-friendly solutions and operational practices. As we continue to expand our market presence and push the boundaries of what's possible in semiconductor technology, we invite you to be part of our journey to creating the next generation of memory solutions that will define the future of computing.

About the Role:

We are hiring a full-time research scientist. Depending on your qualifications, the job is loop engineering, AI infrastructure research, or both.

Loop engineering is the design and study of closed-loop flows that automate, optimize, and explore SoC designs. These are AI-assisted hardware/software co-design flows. CHIA, from UC Berkeley, is one example of a framework you may use.

AI infrastructure research is full-stack design and optimization of AI systems from storage devices to the host: how memory-device noise affects AI performance, where the system bottlenecks, and which compute-memory architectures are worth building.

You will own the research questions, methods, and written results.

What you will do:

- Establish best practices for SoC design automation, optimization, and design-space exploration, and make them the way the team runs design studies.
- Design and implement co-design loops whose steps run SoC tools, simulators, software builds, physical-design feedback, and AI agents, and whose outputs feed the next iteration.
- Build those flows with the languages and tools the study needs, including Chisel and XLS, simulators, software builds, and ASIC or FPGA CAD.
- Measure whether the designs a loop produces are correct, and compare them on power, speed, silicon area, or how well the target workload runs. Record which design was chosen, what the search cost, and enough detail that someone else can rerun the study and see why a run failed.

Research: AI infrastructure:

- Study AI system design from storage and memory devices through controllers, interconnects, and the host software path used by training and inference.
- Measure how device noise and non-idealities (read and write noise, variation, retention, disturb, and error rates) affect model quality, tail latency, throughput, and energy.
- Quantify bottlenecks in capacity, bandwidth, latency, power, and data movement, and state what they imply for architecture.
- Evaluate compute-memory architectures such as near-memory and in-memory compute, computational storage, and disaggregated memory.

What you bring:

- Bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. A bachelor’s degree should include research depth in computer architecture, computer systems, VLSI, or electronic design automation.
- A record of taking a research question to a measured, written result.
- Strong in Python.

For a loop-engineering assignment:

- Experience automating an SoC, RTL, or physical-design flow, including design-space exploration or closed-loop optimization.
- Ability to design interfaces between design tools so a flow can be reused.

For an AI infrastructure assignment:

- Research on the path from storage or memory devices to a host running an AI workload, and on how device behavior, system bottlenecks, or compute-memory architecture affect AI performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Hands-on experience with an AI-assisted hardware/software co-design loop framework, such as CHIA, or with another agentic or scripted flow.
- Proficiency with Chisel, XLS, or RISC-V SoC integration, and with RTL simulation or FPGA prototyping.
- Experience with commercial ASIC flows, and with reading timing, power, and area reports.
- Experience with architecture simulators.
- Background in memory or storage reliability: device noise, ECC, endurance, or error models.
- Papers or patents in computer architecture, VLSI CAD, or hardware/software co-design.

What success looks like:

In the first year, a loop-engineering hire produces a reusable co-design loop for an SoC decision and a written best practice. An AI infrastructure hire produces a result that ties a bottleneck, a memory-device noise effect, or a compute-memory architecture to host-level AI performance. A hire for both produces both.

COMPENSATION: $000,000/yr - $000,000/yr

## REGARDING COMPENSATION:

SK hynix memory solutions America Inc. offers you the opportunity to apply your skills to exciting projects while working with innovative teams. Our compensation package is complimented by a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and a company 401(k) match, as well as cafeteria, onsite gym and much more. If you are motivated by technical challenges, we offer a collaborative work environment that encourages career growth.

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be tailored based on several factors, including the location, job grade, relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. We also take into account the internal equity among our current team members to ensure fairness and competitiveness.

## About SK hynix memory solutions America Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: SK hynix memory solutions America Inc. (SKHMS America) is the San Jose‑based R&D subsidiary of SK hynix, specializing in custom NAND‑based storage solutions, SSD controllers, and system‑on‑chip (SoC) designs for enterprise and client markets.
- **Entity Type**: Private (wholly owned subsidiary of SK hynix, a publicly traded company under ticker 000660:KR)
- **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2004 (originally as Link_A_Media Devices Corporation; acquired by SK hynix in 2012, renamed to SK hynix memory solutions America Inc. in 2018)
- **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed (original LAMD founders); key executive: Tony Yoon (CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Semiconductor manufacturing / NAND flash storage solutions
- **Target customers**: B2B – enterprise data centers, hyperscale cloud operators, mobile device manufacturers
- **Mission statement**: “To be a trusted partner by delivering top-quality storage products and exceptional customer service, consistently meeting schedules to ensure complete customer satisfaction.” [skhms.com](https://www.skhms.com/index.html)

## Products & Services
- **Enterprise SSDs** – PCIe Gen3/Gen4/Gen5 NVMe drives (e.g., PE6011, PS11xx, PS10xx, PS1101) and SATA SSDs (SE3010, SE4010) designed for data centers and AI infrastructure.
- **Custom SSD Controllers** – In‑house SoCs with dedicated HW accelerators, AI/ML‑based error correction, and low‑power architectures.
- **Firmware & System Software** – Low‑level firmware that orchestrates controller features and ensures enterprise‑grade reliability.
- **NAND Media Management** – Algorithms to analyze NAND characteristics and optimize SSD performance and endurance.
- **Systems Engineering & Validation** – Replication of customer environments at scale; in‑house test tools for reliability qualification.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed (subsidiary of SK hynix, which had a market cap of ~$90B as of mid‑2025)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue ~$21M (estimated from LinkedIn data); total funding not applicable (captive R&D arm)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Parent company SK hynix; Intel NAND business acquisition (2020) led to the formation of Solidigm alongside SKHMS.
- **Growth Signals**: 191 employees (+19.9% YoY); 20 active job postings (+1900% YoY in postings); milestone launch of 245TB PS1101 SSD using world‑first 321‑layer QLC NAND in 2025, targeting AI data centers.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full Vertical Integration** – In‑house NAND, DRAM, controller SoC, firmware, and high‑volume manufacturing – a rare combination in the industry.
- **Advanced Error Correction** – AI/ML‑based algorithms for robust data reliability.
- **Proven Track Record** – First in industry with LDPC error correction; multiple generations of enterprise PCIe/SATA controllers.
- **Parent Backing** – Access to SK hynix’s massive R&D budget and global manufacturing fabs.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI Infrastructure** – Ultra‑high‑capacity (245TB) SSDs optimized for AI/cloud workloads.
- **PCIe Gen5 Transition** – Continuing to innovate with Gen5 E3.S/U.2/U.3 form factors, improving performance and efficiency.
- **Eco‑Friendly Solutions** – Investment in sustainable operational practices and low‑power chip designs.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Impact** – Engineers work on cutting‑edge storage technology that powers global data centers and AI systems; collaborative, cross‑functional teams.
- **Location & Perks** – San Jose campus with on‑site cafeteria, fitness center reimbursement, comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) match, life insurance.
- **Growth Opportunities** – Roles in firmware, SoC design, systems engineering, and validation; internships available; 20 open positions as of mid‑2025.
- **Remote / Hybrid** – Not explicitly stated; roles appear to be on‑site (San Jose).

## Sources
1. [skhms.com – Company Overview, Mission, Products, Milestones](https://www.skhms.com/index.html)
2. [linkedin.com – Company Page, Financials, Employee Data, Growth](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sk-hynix-memory-solutions-inc-)
3. [job-boards.greenhouse.io – Active Job Postings (24 roles as of July 2025)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/skhynixmemorysolutionsamericainc)
4. [greenhouse.io – Jobs detail (confirming open positions)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/skhynixmemorysolutionsamericainc/jobs/4130211009)

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