Technologist Mechanical Engineering

Technologist Mechanical Engineering

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 include:

• 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 (Solid Works/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.

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 Solid Works
• Analysis: FEA tools, modal analysis, shock/vibration simulation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent communication
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced development environment

Western Digital 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, sex, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, 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.

Western Digital 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.

Western Digital 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  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 Final date to receive applications will be 08/13/2026 (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 Final date to receive applications. If we are not able to…