Integration Engineer

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. The data powering cloud computing, AI, and enterprise infrastructure relies on hard disk drives (HDDs). At WD, the Read/Write Integration team brings together Head, Media, and Channel technologies to build the next generation of HDDs. You'll work on Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) —an advanced technology that is increasing storage capacity for data centers worldwide. From testing new features to analyzing performance data, you'll help turn cutting-edge research into products used across the globe. What You'll Do As a Staff Engineer, you'll help develop, validate, and optimize next-generation HAMR drives from prototype through manufacturing. You'll: Develop and validate new HDD features that improve performance, reliability, and capacity Test hardware across bench, drive-level, and manufacturing environments using Python, Kiko, and manufacturing test systems Analyze manufacturing and quality data using Python, R, and MATLAB to identify trends, optimize performance, and prevent customer issues Perform hardware failure analysis, investigate root causes, and partner with firmware engineers to resolve complex issues Read and interpret C/C++ manufacturing test code to understand system behavior and troubleshoot problems Collaborate with engineers across Firmware, Servo, Manufacturing, and Media teams Contribute to patents and innovative technologies that shape future HDD products This role is part of WD's early career development program. WD's early career development program is ideal for individuals at the early stages of their professional career.  Participants receive foundational training through structured onboarding, mentorship, and a curated development curriculum. The responsibilities of this role are typically aligned with candidates who have approximately 0–2+ years of relevant professional experience, though candidates of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. Required Currently pursuing or recently completed a PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field Experience programming in Python, R, and/or Matlab Ability to read and understand C or C++ code Strong analytical and problem-solving skills using large engineering datasets Excellent collaboration, communication, and learning agility Preferred Research in HAMR, magnetic recording, spintronics, magnetics, or storage technologies Hands-on laboratory or hardware testing experience Experience applying AI or machine learning to engineering data Internship or co-op experience in hardware, semiconductor, or storage engineering Publications or conference presentations related to your research 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 [email protected] 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 11/6/26 , 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 this posting with a new anticipated application deadline. #LI-MT Compensation & Benefits Details An employee’s pay posit