Technologist, Reliability Engineering

Western Digital; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data storage company in Minnesota is seeking an experienced HDD engineer to develop reliability assurance methods and AI applications aimed at improving reliability at both drive and component levels. The successful candidate will have over 10 years of experience in HDD development, a Master's or Ph.D., and strong data analytics skills. Responsibilities include creating new methods for reliability performance and enhancing existing processes. This role offers a collaborative work environment with opportunities for innovation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years technical hands-on experience in HDD (firmware or development engineering).
• Basic knowledge of reliability principles and statistics.
• Track record of leading and achieving results in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop new methods to speed up Time to Qual while ensuring reliability performance.
• Create feedback loops based on field data to propagate relevant changes.
• Enhance reliability process with new AI platform applications.

Skills

Data engineering and analytics capability

HDD firmware experience

Innovative problem solving

Project management

Effective communication

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering, computer science or related field

Job description

Our mission in Advanced Reliability Engineering is to create an end‑to‑end reliability assurance process that uses industry‑leading modeling, testing and analysis to guarantee success at qualification and throughout the product life cycle.

We are seeking an experienced HDD engineer with strong data analytics and engineering skills who is eager to develop reliability assurance methods and build AI applications that improve reliability at the drive and component level.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop new and creative methods to speed up Time to Qual while ensuring reliability performance meets expectations.
• Develop AI applications for drift detection in reliability metrics at drive and component level.
• Create an ongoing feedback loop based on field data to propagate relevant changes to internal tests.
• Enhance the end‑to‑end reliability process with new AI platform applications.

Our factories are located in Thailand. We typically have about two evening meetings a week.

Travel: Once or twice a year, domestically and internationally.

Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in engineering, computer science or related field.
• 10+ years technical hands‑on experience in HDD (firmware or development engineering).
• Basic knowledge of reliability principles and statistics.
• Significant experience with HDD firmware, logs and analytics.
• Data engineering and analytics capability.
• Desire to challenge the status quo and provide innovative alternatives, including scrutiny of input data quality.
• Proven ability to innovate and solve difficult non‑routine technical challenges.
• Proven project management skills from vision to plan to execution.
• Track record of leading and achieving results in cross‑functional and cross‑site teams.
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills, especially in presentations to other functions, customers and executive management.

Additional Information:

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities and will not discriminate on any legally protected characteristic. 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 are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Based on our experience, the application deadline is 2/13/25 (three months from posting). We may close earlier if we hire an applicant for this role before the deadline.

Compensation and benefits details are available at the company website.

Notice to Candidates: Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying or receiving an offer. Report any such requests immediately.