System Integration Test (SIT) Lab Program Manager

Western Digital; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 154,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Digital's SIT Lab seeks a Program Manager to own validation plans for multiple HDD programs and drive readiness for QSR and launches. You will bridge engineering, program management, and customer engagement with visibility into the roadmap.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in program management or validation in HDD/storage, expert SIT Lab process knowledge, and a proven ability to influence across functions without formal authority. This is a full-time, on-site role in Rochester, NY.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field.
• Deep understanding of HDD storage technologies and firmware.
• Experience with defect tracking and executive-level communication.

Responsibilities

• Own SIT Lab validation plan for development and sustaining programs.
• Provide regular updates on code releases and timelines.
• Lead cross-functional reviews and manage program risks.
• Influence decisions across departments to meet product launches.

Skills

HDD storage technologies

Firmware architecture

Defect tracking

Risk assessment

Executive summaries

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

• Full-time
• Job Type (exemption status): Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
• Salary Range: 154,400.00-205,800.00
• Business Function: Program Management Engineering

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 people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

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

Job Description

Why Join Us

The SIT Lab is at the center of WD's product quality story. Our team validates WD's HDD products against the world's most demanding hyperscale and enterprise customers—ensuring that what ships is ready for the real world. As a Program Manager in our PMO, you'll work at the intersection of engineering, program management, and customer engagement, with visibility across WD's product roadmap and direct influence on the decisions that matter. You'll be part of a team that's actively transforming how we work through new tools, processes, and technologies—and you'll have the opportunity to help shape that transformation.

About the Role

A SIT Lab Program Manager serves as the primary bridge between the SIT Lab and the broader cross-functional organization—owning the SIT Lab's validation plans for multiple development and sustaining programs, influencing program-level decisions, and driving the lab's readiness for product launches across WD's HDD portfolio. The ideal candidate operates with a high degree of independence, brings expert-level knowledge of SIT Lab processes and HDD storage technologies, and has a demonstrated ability to influence decisions and drive outcomes across organizational boundaries without formal authority.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Ownership & Communication

• Own the SIT Lab validation plan for assigned Development and Sustaining programs from staging through QSR
• Serve as the primary SIT Lab focal point for one or more Program Core Team(s)on all program-related matters
• Partner with the SIT Lab Technology Development team to prepare the SIT Lab for programs in the pipeline and coordinate all activities leading up to QSR
• Provide regular communication to SIT Lab teams on code releases, program timelines, and program-related updates
• Provide periodic milestone summary communications to SIT Lab management and Core Teams
• Actively participate in quarterly program reviews to help the team plan and manage roadmap demands, discuss continuous improvement initiatives, and conduct retrospectives
• Proactively identify program risks and issues and drive them to resolution in a timely manner

Cross-Functional Influence

• Represent the SIT Lab in Core Team meetings across multiple programs
• Influence the SIT Lab validation plan for products in any phase of the product lifecycle
• Influence program-level decisions by understanding the broader development process and its dependencies on SIT Lab outputs
• Participate in and contribute to release discussions and phase gate decisions based on SIT Lab quality data and business needs
• Drive cross-functional influence across multiple departments to resolve issues, align on plans, and deliver on commitments

Leadership & Organizational Contribution

• Regularly present program status, risks, and milestone summaries to SIT Lab staff and Quality Management; occasionally present to the Executive Leadership Team
• Lead and coordinate large-scale projects that have impact within and outside the SIT Lab
• Actively participate in transformational initiatives that shape the long-term strategy and success of the SIT Lab
• Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement projects and process improvement initiatives
• Formally lead and mentor other team members within the SIT Lab PMO and broader organization
• Contribute to the SIT Lab's technical direction and identify opportunities to improve processes and systems

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

Technical Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of HDD storage technologies—interface protocols, recording technology, firmware architecture, and storage sub-components
• Advanced understanding of firmware architecture and firmware features
• Mastery of defect tracker usage and best practices
• Expert ability to understand, facilitate, and communicate risk assessment discussions
• Expert ability to prepare and deliver executive-level summaries and program communications

Program Management

• Expert understanding and application of effective program management methods and processes
• Demonstrated ability to own and manage complex, multi-customer validation programs end-to-end with minimal direction
• Proven ability to proactively identify program risks and drive resolution across organizational boundaries
• Ability to lead and coordinate large-scale projects with cross-functional impact

Domain Knowledge

• Expert understanding of WD customer segments and markets
• Expert understanding of the HDD storage landscape and WD's technology and roadmap
• Strong understanding of functional areas within and outside the SIT Lab
• Advanced understanding of the future of storage technologies and industry trends

Leadership & Influence

• Demonstrated ability to influence decisions and outcomes across multiple departments without formal authority
• Experience formally leading and mentoring others
• Ability to contribute to organizational strategy and identify areas for process improvement
• Comfortable presenting to senior and executive leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of related experience in program management, product validation, or a related engineering role within the HDD or data storage industry
• Demonstrated expertise in HDD storage technologies and product validation processes
• Proven track record of managing complex programs across multiple customers and organizational boundaries

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Experience in a SIT Lab or Quality organization within WD or a comparable data storage company
• Familiarity with WD's product development lifecycle, Core Team structure, and qualification processes
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation or continuous improvement initiatives

Additional Information

WD 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 .

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 [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 requis