NPI Program Management

Western Digital; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A global technology company in San Jose, California is seeking a Manufacturing Program Manager for hard disk drives. The role involves leading cross-functional teams, managing the introduction and ramp-up of production, and resolving complex problems. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Electrical Engineering, substantial experience in program management, and strong leadership skills. The position offers competitive benefits and requires domestic and international travel.

Qualifications

• BS + 12 years related experience, MS + 10 or more years, or PhD + 8 or more years related experience.
• 5+ years experience managing employees.

Responsibilities

• Manage factory introduction and ramp‑up of hard disk drive production.
• Lead cross‑functional teams focused on hard disk drive product development.
• Generate program plans and manage resources to meet business goals.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional problem solving

Team leadership

Conflict resolution

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Company Overview

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. We are a company of problem solvers; our technology has 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, hard disks, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers under our Western Digital®, WD®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands.

Job Description

Manufacturing Program Manager – Hard Disk Drive

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage factory introduction and ramp‑up of hard disk drive production.
• Apply program management and manufacturing expertise to resolve complex cross‑functional problems.
• Contribute to process technology direction and develop methodologies to achieve goals.
• Present program status and review information to department and corporate groups, influencing direction and decisions.
• Build consensus, maintain process focus, and overcome barriers in complex team issues.
• Generate program plans (overview, schedule, build/test plans) and manage resources to meet functional and product business goals.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering departments to achieve cost, quality, schedule, and technical objectives.
• Ensure tooling and test equipment availability to support high‑volume manufacturing after program transfer.
• Lead cross‑functional teams focused on hard disk drive product development from design to release, emphasizing manufacturing technologies, qualification testing, and high‑volume manufacturing operations.
• Execute project plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables; define major project roles and assign resources.
• Monitor product/program through delivery, interfacing with external customers on technical matters.
• Assign and monitor work of management staff, providing technical support and direction; oversee overall product/program/project management responsibility.
• Evaluate personnel to ensure efficient operation of the function.
• Identify and define technology programs addressing strategic technical or company needs.
• Demonstrate initiative, innovation, and creative approaches resulting in significant business contributions.
• Apply technology to meet business needs and foresee strategic company needs.
• Domestic and international travel required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• BS + 12 years related experience, MS + 10 or more years, or PhD + 8 or more years related experience.
• 5+ years experience managing employees.
• Lead, integrate, and coordinate activities of multiple complex teams with significant business impact.
• Establish and achieve strategic goals, objectives, and deliverables for multiple programs; manage teams to achieve them.
• Facilitate resolution of complex team issues, build consensus, maintain project focus, and inspire other team members.
• Supervise and manage engineers, technical staff, and others; hire, file, evaluate, and administer compensation and personnel actions per company policies.
• Provide input on hiring decisions.
• Facilitate team/department meetings and resolve complex conflicts.
• Initiate efforts to overcome barriers.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of these characteristics. 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.

Accommodation Request

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities. Please contact [e-mail] with a description of the accommodation needed, including the job title and requisition number.

Application Deadline

Application deadline is 03‑01‑2026 (three months from posting). We reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant before the deadline.

Compensation & Benefits Details

• Pay range is based on education, experience, location, and business needs. The range may be modified and applies to specific states or remote positions.
• Eligible for overtime, shift differential, and bonus programs (STI Plan, SIP, LTI programs) per role and performance.
• Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, transit, Applause Program, stock purchase plan, and 401(k) plan.
• Union: Details are provided upon request. No amount of pay is considered earned until vested and determinable.

Notice to Candidates

Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer. Report any such requests to the Ethics Helpline ([e-mail]).