Senior Technologist - Firmware Development

Job Description We are seeking an experienced Technologist to join our HDD Firmware Engineering team at Western digital. In this dynamic role, you will contribute to the development and optimization of firmware for our cutting-edge HDD (Hard Disk Drive) products. You will act as a key player in driving innovation, reliability, and performance improvements across our storage solutions portfolio. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Design, develop, and debug firmware for HDD technologies, ensuring functionality, reliability, and efficiency. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., hardware engineers, validation teams, and architects) to define firmware requirements and deliver products in alignment with project goals. Perform system-level debugging to analyze and resolve firmware issues impacting product performance or operational reliability. Contribute to the development of technical documentation, architecture designs, and code reviews to support the lifecycle of firmware projects. Utilize AI-assisted coding tools to enhance firmware coding efficiency and gain insights into advanced debugging methodologies. Mentor and guide firmware team members to ensure alignment, team growth, and professional development. Collaborate on storage performance evaluations to improve HDD firmware functionalities and support various customer and data-intensive applications. Qualifications REQUIRED Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. SKILLS Expertise in firmware or embedded software development with focus on C/C++/ Python coding. Solid debugging skills (using tools such as JTAG, ICE, bus analyzers) and experience troubleshooting complex system issues. Must have hands on experience in storage technologies, including HDD architecture and interface protocols like SATA, SAS, and NVMe. Exposure to and familiarity with AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, Cursor, or similar tools). Experience in large-scale firmware projects within the storage industry or similar domains. Experience with performance optimization and storage system firmware processes. Proven mentorship and team leadership experience to guide engineers through challenging development and debugging tasks. Strong problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and the ability to work in a fast-paced and innovative environment. Effective communication skills to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams. Knowledge of software development processes such as Agile methodologies. Salary Range 150,900.00-201,200.00 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. 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 thr