Architecture and System Design Engineer

Western Digital; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 165,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Employee stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Western Digital is looking for a Principal Engineer in Irvine, California to specialize in Electronics Architecture and System Design. In this pivotal role, you will lead the development of advanced electronic systems and mentor junior engineers, ensuring the integration of innovative technologies.

Candidates should possess a Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and have extensive experience in system design, with a strong understanding of circuit design and programming skills. The role offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Relevant years of experience in electronics engineering with a focus on system architecture and design.
• Advanced knowledge of electronics architecture and system design principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of cutting-edge electronic systems.
• Design, simulate, and validate power and voltage regulator systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the team.

Skills

Electronics architecture

System design

Circuit design

Signal integrity

Programming (C, C++, Python)

FPGA design

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CAD tools for electronic design

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Engineer specializing in Electronics Architecture and System Design to join our innovative team in Irvine, United States. In this pivotal role, you will lead the development of cutting‑edge electronic systems, driving technological advancements and shaping the future of our products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Must understand all system implications and provide a robust electronics solution for our products
• Utilize core functions for various IP that is developed while ensuring we meet performance, cost and reliability goals
• Must be able to understand and optimize power, thermal, mechanical, and electrical aspects
• Support Servo‑Mechanical team with Spindle and VCM design, Load/unload power simulations, seek headroom simulations, spin up/down simulations
• Design, simulate, and validate power and voltage regulator systems for accuracy, stability, thermal management, and ripple control
• Set up and review power integrity analysis and signal integrity analysis with internal core teams and outside services
• Work with internal FW teams to bring up and validate new devices, understand needs and optimizations for future product plans and execute those needs with new device and PCBA designs
• Develop new silicon devices with core teams and materials to support our product needs such as SOC features, PLSI features, unique NAND devices, power management devices, and sensors
• Work with internal and core materials teams to understand component costs to make tradeoff analysis for each system to ensure best cost and performance solutions
• Gain information from core functions such as SoC power analysis, egress data rates, Power LSI efficiency, Spindle motor parameters to generate power, VCM parameters to control speed in power loss, Memory and NAND device specifications for Egress and SOC interface requirements
• Work with internal or outsourced service to capture the schematic, complete layout and produce manufacturing Gerber files and documentation
• Work with factory, core teams, and suppliers to create new part numbers, execute component qualification, create Bill of Materials for new assemblies, release new PCBA drawings, and complete DFM reviews for new board designs
• Support customer facing internal and core teams with product specs, presentations, and rapidly resolving customer issues
• Support content solutions team electronics needs for OEM products, proposal reviews, design reviews, cost analysis, and issue resolution
• Perform and direct lab work as needed for experiments, validation of new devices, and validation of new board designs
• Lead cross‑functional teams in the development and implementation of electronic solutions
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration of electronic components
• Troubleshoot complex issues and provide innovative solutions to engineering challenges
• Develop and maintain system‑level specifications and design documentation
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the team

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related field
• Relevant years of experience in electronics engineering with a focus on system architecture and design
• Advanced knowledge of electronics architecture and system design principles
• Proven track record of leading complex electronic system design projects
• Expertise in circuit design, analysis, and PCB layout
• Strong understanding of signal integrity and EMC principles
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, and Python
• Experience with FPGA design and implementation
• Skilled in using CAD tools for electronic design
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations in electronics engineering
• Experience in Hard Disk Drive, SSD, or consumer electronics industries preferred
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong leadership abilities and experience mentoring junior engineers
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to present complex technical concepts clearly
• Innovative mindset with a passion for pushing technological boundaries

Salary Ranges: 124,000.00-165,300.00

Compensation & Benefits Details

• Employee pay positioning factors include education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, location, shift, equity and business needs.
• The salary range reflects possible compensation for this role at posting time and may change; it applies to jobs performed in California, Colorado, New York, or remote jobs in those states.
• Non‑exempt positions may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and other company‑policy benefits.
• Eligible for bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan or the Sales Incentive Plan and may be considered for the Long‑Term Incentive program with RSUs or cash equivalents; eligibility varies by role.
• Comprehensive benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life, accident and disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (e.g., supplemental life, AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity), tuition reimbursement, transit, the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.
• All compensation, bonuses, and benefits are subject to Company discretion and may be modified at any time.

WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, military or veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non‑discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

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 hiring process. Please contact us at [e-mail] 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.

Notice To Candidates

Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email [e-mail].