Architecture and System Design Engineer at Western Digital · Irvine

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

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 and 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

REQUIRED:

• 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

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 jobs.accommodations@wdc.com 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 8/13/26 (3 months from posting), 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.

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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 WD’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 WD'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 WD 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 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 compliance@wdc.com.