Senior Engineer, Systems Design Engineering

Western Digital; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WD is seeking an Early Career Engineer to contribute to the system design of hard disk drives and drive integration. You will investigate and determine root causes of HDD failures while supporting product qualification, manufacturing, and field operations tasks.

This role focuses on electromechanical, magnetic recording, firmware, and media-related issues, collaborating across design, manufacturing, and reliability teams to drive high yield, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics, or related engineering discipline required; fresh graduates welcome.
• Ability to read basic schematics and technical documentation; familiarity with laboratory equipment is an advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset; willingness to learn complex HDD technologies.
• Proficient in programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and TCL.

Responsibilities

• Understand system design of HDDs and drive integration.
• Investigate root causes of HDD failures and participate in qualification, manufacturing, and field tasks.
• Provide status updates and test summaries to the Lead Engineer and Department Manager.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, failure analysis, reliability teams.
• Document technical findings and publish documentation for broader teams.

Skills

Technical Proficiency

Analytical Skills

Soft Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering or Physics

Tools

Minitab

JMP

MATLAB

PCB/IC packaging knowledge

Job description

• Full-time
• Business Function: Systems Design
• Work Location: KL COE Office--LOC_WDT_KL COE

Company Description

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for peoplewho want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

Job Description

Responsible for understanding of system design of hard disk drive and drive integratoion. Besides, investigating and determining root causes of hard disk drive failures is also important. Involve and participate in product qualification, manufacturing, and field operations tasks.This role focuses on electromechanical, magnetic recording, firmware, and media-related failures, and works cross-functionally to drive product with good yield, quality and meeting customer specification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides verbal and written status including clear and accurate analysis summaries and test reports to the Lead Engineer and the Department Manager.
• Cross‑Functional Exposure:
  • Work closely with:
    • Development design team
    • Manufacturing and process engineering teams
    • Failure Analysis Engineers
    • Reliability engineering teams
    • Engineering program Manager
  • Gain exposure to factory, lab, and NPI environments
  • Support drive integration reviews and technical discussions
• Identify all drive integration related issues, provides drive technical summary and propose next step immediate actions.
• Understanding of basic principles in most functional areas such as RSS, Servo, Mechanical, Material Science and controller
• Able to make system-level decisions based on understanding of interdependencies between competing interests from different functional groups to obtain the best trade-offs under a specific application / condition.
• Recommend, devise, and implement technical solutions and understand trade-offs.
• Provide input to program / project technical strategy.
• Follows department/work group processes, recommends improvements to them and develops new processes.
• Able to document and publish technical documentations for general consumption.
• Has broad knowledge of general business operations.
• Knows & comprehend individual and project goals.
• Understand the practical implications of one’s work on operations or vice versa (e.g. materials availability, volume manufacturing environment).

This position is part of our Early Career program at WD. Our Early Career program is designed to support individuals beginning their professional career by providing the foundational training through a structured onboarding, mentorship, and development curriculum.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering discipline is required. Applications from fresh graduates are encouraged.

PREFERRED:

• Ability to read basic schematics and technical documentation
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment is an advantage
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Willingness to learn complex HDD technologies
• Hands-on attitude and attention to detail
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Able to follow structured troubleshooting steps
• Comfortable working in lab/factory environments
• Productivity tools such MS Office a must
• Proficient in programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and TCL; additional languages are an advantage.

SKILLS

• Technical Proficiency:
  • Semiconductor/device physics, materials science, and reliability engineering
  • Failure analysis techniques (e.g., Oscilloscope probe, multimeter usage, waveform analysis, trigger setting)
  • Root cause analysis methodologies (e.g. 8D, FMEA)
  • Knowledge of PCB, IC packaging, and microelectronics manufacturing processes
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills:
  • Data interpretation and correlation of electrical, mechanical, and material test results
  • Ability to identify, isolate, and resolve complex failure mechanisms
  • Statistical analysis and use of tools like Minitab, JMP, or MATLAB
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong communication for cross-functional collaboration and reporting
  • Attention to detail with a methodical, documentation-driven approach
  • Adaptability in fast-paced, high-priority investigation environments

Additional Information

WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [emailprotected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.