Western Digital Technologies

Technologist Mechanical Engineering

Western Digital Technologies • $100K — $130K *
San Jose, CA 95123In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering
  • 5+ years in Precision Mechanical Design, ideally in HDD industry
  • Experience with high-volume consumer electronics or medical devices
  • Knowledge of head-disk interface (HDI) and aerodynamics
  • Familiarity with actuator dynamics and servo positioning
  • Experience in contamination control and particle management
  • Basic understanding of magnetic recording fundamentals

Responsibilities

  • Design precision mechanical components for HDD systems such as HSAs and actuators
  • Utilize GD&T to create drawings and 3D models that meet functional requirements
  • Design components for ultra-clean operational environments
  • Conduct FEA for structural integrity and optimization
  • Test designs through modal and tolerance analyses
  • Develop validation test protocols and design fixtures
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for seamless system integration

Benefits

  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life, accident, and disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program and flexible spending accounts
  • Tuition reimbursement and transit benefits
  • Employee stock purchase plan and 401(k) plan with savings options
  • Additional voluntary benefits, including pet insurance and legal plans
Full Job Description
Job Description

Western Digital is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with a minimum of 5 years of experience to design, develop, and validate mechanical components and assemblies for our Hard Disk Drive (HDD) product portfolio and data storage solutions. The engineer in this position will drive precision mechanical design for head-disk assemblies (HDA), actuators, base castings, and enclosures while meeting stringent performance and reliability requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • HDD-Specific Design & Development
    • Design precision mechanical components for HDD systems:
    • Head Stack Assembly (HSA) including actuators, flex circuits, voice coil motors
    • Base casting and top cover assemblies
    • Spindle motor integration and mounting systems
    • Shock dampening and vibration isolation structures
    • Breather filters and contamination control features
    • Develop parts using advanced CAD (SolidWorks/NX) with tight tolerances
  • Use geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) for drawings and 3D models to communicate ideal part with allowable variation to meet functional requirements.
  • Design for ultra-clean operation environments (Class 10/100 cleanroom)
  • Use 3D printing and other rapid prototyping processes to conduct design validation testing.

Analysis & Simulation:
  • Perform FEA on structural components (shock resistance, stiffness optimization)
  • Conduct modal analysis for resonance avoidance in actuator systems
  • Execute tolerance stack-up analysis for critical assemblies

Testing & Validation:
  • Design test fixtures and develop test protocols for design validation.
  • Execute environmental testing for shock, vibration, and thermal cycling
  • Drive failure mode analysis and implement corrective actions (FMEA, root cause analysis)

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Partner with recording heads, media, firmware, and servo teams for system integration.
  • Interface with suppliers on specifications and quality.


Qualifications

REQUIRED
  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering
  • Expertise in Precision Mechanical Design, preferably in HDD industry with proven track record delivering products
  • Experience with high-volume consumer electronics or medical devices
  • Must have experience with head-disk interface (HDI) and aerodynamics
  • Knowledge of actuator dynamics and servo positioning systems
  • Experience with contamination control and particle management
  • Awareness of magnetic recording fundamentals

SKILLS
  • Manufacturing: Deep knowledge of die casting, precision machining, MIM, stamping
  • Metrology: CMM programming, optical measurement systems, surface profilometry
  • Materials: Aluminum alloys, stainless steel, and engineering polymers for HDD applications
  • GD&T: Advanced application for tight-tolerance assemblies
  • CAD: Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks
  • Analysis: FEA tools, modal analysis, shock/vibration simulation
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
  • Excellent communication
  • Ability to thrive in fast-paced development environment


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.

About Western Digital Technologies

Western Technology Investment is a venture capital firm that specializes in offering acquisition financing to revenue-generating firms. The firm provides debt and lease financing to venture capital backed technology companies.

Western Digital Technologies Careers

Join the innovative world of Western Digital Technologies, a leader in data storage solutions, where we are committed to empowering our global team of professionals. This is an unparalleled opportunity to advance your career with a company at the forefront of technological innovation and digital storage.

Work You’ll Do

At Western Digital Technologies, you will be part of a dynamic team that drives data innovation across various industries. Our commitment to excellence and leadership in the technology sector provides a unique platform for professionals to influence the future of digital storage and management solutions.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Western Digital Technologies offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and experiences. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level position or a more senior role, our company is eager to support your professional growth through challenging projects and continuous learning opportunities.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with Western Digital Technologies through our internship programs. These positions are designed to give you hands-on experience and insights into our day-to-day operations, preparing you for a full-time role in our company. Interns at Western Digital Technologies gain invaluable industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and professional skills under the guidance of experienced mentors.

Benefits and Culture

We pride ourselves on a culture that fosters diversity, innovation, and leadership. Western Digital Technologies is dedicated to providing employees with a supportive work environment where everyone is encouraged to be their best. Our benefits package is comprehensive, including health, dental, and vision insurance, employee wellness programs, and significant career development opportunities.

Join Our Team

We are continuously hiring creative, curious, and motivated individuals who are ready to drive innovation in the technology space. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests on our careers page. At Western Digital Technologies, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Professional Development and Training

Advance your career with Western Digital Technologies through our professional development programs. We offer a range of training and development options, including leadership training, skills enhancement workshops, and diversity training sessions to help you grow as a leader and innovator in our industry.

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Apply Now

Ready to take the next step in your career? Submit your resume, prepare for your interview, and join a team that’s redefining the future of technology. At Western Digital Technologies, your future is waiting.

SEARCH WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES JOBS

Join us at Western Digital Technologies, where your career growth is integrated with innovation and leadership, empowering you to reach new heights in the technology industry.
Learn more about Western Digital Technologies
Size
65,600 employees
Market Cap
$9.9 billion
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Net Income
$167 million
Founded
1970
5 Year Trend
-0.3%
Revenue
$16.3 billion
NASDAQ
WDC
* Ladders Estimates

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