Manager 6, Program Management – Archival Storage

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 looking for a Manager 6, Program Management to lead the Archival Storage program from early development through product introduction. You will build the planning, execution and reporting system the organization runs on, and you will be the main point of integration across engineering, operations, supply chain, external partners and business leadership.

New ventures need program leaders who have worked in more than one corner of the business. You will be asked to judge trade-offs between mechanical, electrical, firmware, software and media teams, and to have credible conversations with each of them. Breadth of experience is the core requirement for this role.

What you will own

• End-to-end program plan and integrated master schedule across hardware, firmware, software, media and system integration.
• Development phase gates (concept, EVT, DVT, PVT) and the entry and exit criteria for each.
• Cross-functional execution across engineering disciplines, test and reliability, procurement, manufacturing partners and external technology partners.
• Program risk, issue and dependency management, including critical-path tracking and mitigation plans.
• Program budget tracking against plan, covering operating spend, NRE and prototype materials, in partnership with Finance.
• Executive and board-level program reviews, including milestone status, demo readiness, and decisions needed.
• Vendor and partner milestone tracking for outsourced design, development and supply agreements.
• Program management processes, tools and operating rhythm for a growing organization.
• Coordination with hiring managers and Talent Acquisition on headcount ramp and staffing plans.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical or computer engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 15+ years in the storage or hardware industry, including 8+ years leading programs or engineering teams.
• At least two of the following:

• HDD product development or program experience
• SSD product development or program experience
• Functional engineering leadership, for example Electrical/PCBA, mechanical, firmware or test

• A track record of taking a complex electromechanical or storage hardware product from development into volume production.
• Experience leading cross-functional programs that include external partners, ODMs or contract manufacturers.
• Proven ability to build schedules, budgets and risk plans from scratch, and to present them to senior executives.

Preferred

• Experience in all three areas above: HDD, SSD and functional engineering leadership.
• Experience in a new business unit, incubation program or startup environment.
• Familiarity with datacenter or enterprise storage customers and their qualification processes.
• Experience with joint development agreements and NRE-funded partner programs.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate 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 Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

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

staffingsupport@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.