Early Career Talent - Data Engineer

Western Digital; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

A leading data storage company is looking for a Data Engineer to design and maintain scalable data pipelines supporting HDD performance testing and analysis. Ideal candidates hold a Master's degree in Computer Science or related fields and have proficiency in R and Python. Responsibilities include collaborating with SMEs, creating automated testing scripts, and integrating AI tools into data systems. This entry-level full-time position is located in San Jose, California, offering exciting opportunities in the evolving data storage industry.

Qualifications

• Must graduate between March 2026 and May 2026.
• Experience with AI tools through academic projects is preferred.
• Knowledge of the HDD industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain data pipelines for HDD testing.
• Collaborate with SMEs on HDD performance analysis.
• Create automated test scripts for data systems.

Skills

Data analytics

R programming

Python

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Generative AI

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Google Cloud

AWS

Git

Jenkins

Docker

Job description

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At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible. At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first‑ever picture of a black hole. We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands. We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest‑growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever‑growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future. Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

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Job Description

We are seeking a Data Engineer with a strong background in data pipelines, automated testing, Data Analytics, and HDD systems. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between software and hardware data environments—developing, validating, and maintaining data workflows that support HDD performance testing, analysis, and reporting.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines to collect, process, and analyze data with HDD testing systems
• Develop processes to ensure accurate and efficient data flow between tester, databases, and analytics tools
• Collaborate with SMEs to analyze HDD performance, reliability, and failure data
• Create automated test scripts and integrate testing results into data systems and dashboards
• Support root cause analysis and predictive modeling of HDD test data
• Integrate AI tools, such as chatbots or other interactive platforms, to facilitate access to summarized reports and knowledge bases
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure reporting systems are aligned with overall business goals

Qualifications

Role begins Summer 2026

Required

• Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field (Graduating Mar 2026 - May 2026).
• Proficiency in R and Python, developed through coursework, research projects, or internships.
• Proven analytical skills and a strong attention to detail, demonstrated in your academic work or applied projects.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with SMEs and diverse, cross‑functional teams.
• Knowledge or curiosity about the data storage (HDD) industry—even if your experience has been in academic projects or classes.
• Experience (even through academic projects) with Generative AI, NLP, or other AI tools.
• Exposure to business intelligence platforms and cloud services like Google Cloud or AWS.
• Familiarity with CICD toolchains like Git, Jenkins, Docker (academic, project‑based, or internship experience).
• Experience with other programming languages like C++, Java, JavaScript/Node.js—even from side projects or research.

Preferred

• Familiarity with large‑scale database concepts, with project or classroom experience

What Sets You Apart

• You’re forward‑thinking and eager to apply the latest trends to real‑world problems.
• You’re not just looking for a job—you’re looking to grow and innovate, and you're driven by a desire to make an impact.
• Your ability to communicate complex ideas, both to peers and non‑technical stakeholders, is a major asset.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender‑related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also 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.

Western Digital 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.

Western Digital 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 [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.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 4/7/26, although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.
• If your position is non‑exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.
• You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either Western Digital’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or the Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long‑Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax‑advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Notice To Candidates

Please be aware that Western Digital 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 Western Digital Ethics Helpline or email [e-mail].

Seniority Level

Entry level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Computer Hardware Manufacturing, Computers and Electronics Manufacturing, and Semiconductor Manufacturing