Guttula Prasad

SSD Firmware Validation Engineer

SanDisk

09.2017 - Current

SPOC for Marlin validation requirements, leading end-to-end test development for high-performance PCIe Gen3/Gen5 SSDs (U.2/U.3/EDSFF/HHHL/Mezz/E1.L/E1.S/M.2 form factors) compliant with NVMe 1.3 to 2.0 specifications.
Developed and executed test plans and scripts for firmware features, including Power Management, I/O Workloads, Resets, Firmware Downloads, and NVMe compliance, using Oakgate, 1U/2U servers, and in-house test frameworks.
Leveraged Prompt Engineering and Generative AI to create intelligent test scripts and automate complex validation workflows, improving test coverage and reducing execution time.
Identified test gaps and authored Whitebox and Greybox test cases for customer-specific requirements, focusing on Front End, Back End, FTL, and Security firmware components.
Debugged NVMe protocol issues using LeCroy/JDSU analyzers, analyzed firmware, driver, and tool logs, and created detailed bug reports to facilitate rapid issue resolution.
Integrated tests into automated test environments, collaborating with test execution teams to streamline validation workflows and ensure robust test coverage.
Spearheaded hardware planning and test bed preparation for OEM requirements, including dry-run plans and EOL test planning for sustenance programs.
Reviewed test code developed by peers, ensuring high-quality deliverables, and provided firmware fix verification for critical defects.
Implemented a custom tool using Agentic AI to track NVMe drive parameters (SMART, Write Amplification Factor, Program/Erase Failures, Grown Bad Blocks) across firmware versions, enhancing validation efficiency and decision-making.
Worked on certifications like UEFI, UNH-IOL, SPDK, WHQL, and SMBUSIPMI, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborated with cross-functional teams (firmware, tools, OEMs) to drive NVMe datapath validation, PCIe initialization, and feature verification, delivering high-quality SSD products.
Documented entire validation process, noting changes or alterations completed.
Analyzed pre-release software titles for compliance with User Requirement Specifications (URS), referring any deficits to appropriate personnel.
Identified causes of equipment failures and made suggestions for issue resolution.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Participated in system design and commissioning phase, interfacing directly with clients to ascertain clear, concise milestones for integration into development timelines.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from TD team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Collaborated on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, incorporating input from cross-functional team to reduce liability and enhance successful deployments.
Generated validation plans for projects, setting specific temporal and budgetary goals for development and delivery.